The Diabetic News has an article dealing with blindness and amputation risk in diabetics. Click here to view the article.
And now, on to today's six recipes. Enjoy!
MOROCCAN CHICKEN WITH EGGPLANT-ZUCCHINI RAGOUT
Yield: 4 servings
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1002.shtml
Ingredients
1-1/2 to 2 pounds chicken leg quarters
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
1 small eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch dice
1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch dice
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup white wine or water
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices
1/4 cup pimento-stuffed green olives, roughly chopped
2 tablespoons capers, rinsed
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons parsley, minced
Directions
In large skillet over medium high-heat, warm 2 tablespoons olive oil. Season leg quarters with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Add leg quarters to pan, skin-side down. Brown chicken, turning once, 8 to 10 minutes per side. Remove chicken to plate and drain off all but 2 tablespoons oil.
Add eggplant to hot pan and cook, stirring, 5 minutes. Add remaining tablespoon olive oil, along with zucchini, onion and garlic. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Raise heat to high and add white wine to pan, stirring to scrape up any browned bits. Add all other ingredients, except parsley, and place chicken legs in mixture. Bring to boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 35 to 40 minutes or until cooked through or until an instant read thermometer reads 170F.
To serve, place some of the eggplant ragout onto plates, top with a leg quarter and sprinkle with parsley.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 370; Protein: 28 g; Fat: 20 g; Sodium: 900 mg; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Dietary Fiber: 6 g; Sugars: 8 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g
BAKED CHICKEN PARMESAN
Servings: 6
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/228.shtml
Ingredients
Vegetable oil spray
4 slices whole-wheat bread
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1-1/2 tablespoons finely snipped fresh parsley
1-1/2 teaspoons paprika
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled
1/2 cup nonfat or low-fat buttermilk
Vegetable oil spray
6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, about 4 ounces each, all visible fat removed
Directions
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Lightly spray a rectangular baking sheet and slightly smaller cooling rack with vegetable oil spray. Put rack on baking sheet. Set aside.
In a food processor or blender, process bread into fine crumbs. Pour into a shallow bowl. Stir Parmesan, parsley, paprika, garlic powder, and thyme into crumbs.
Pour buttermilk into a shallow bowl.
Rinse chicken and pat dry with paper towels. Dip chicken into buttermilk, shake off excess liquid, dredge in crumbs, and shake off excess crumbs. Put chicken on cooling rack. Spray each breast with vegetable oil spray.
Bake for 15 minutes, turn chicken, and bake for 10 minutes, or until done.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 209; Protein: 38 g; Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 303 mg; Cholesterol: 68 mg; Carbohydrates: 11 g; Exchanges: 3/4 Bread/Starch; 4 Low-Fat Meat
CINNAMON APPLE COFFEE CAKE
Yield: 1 coffee cake (9 servings)
Source: The New Family Cookbook For People with Diabetes
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/513.shtml
Ingredients
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup margarine, softened
2 large egg whites
1/2 cup low-fat (1 percent fat) buttermilk
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 medium apple, unpeeled, cored and finely chopped
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Prepare a 9-inch square baking pan with nonstick pan spray.
In a large bowl, beat together the sugar, margarine, and egg whites until smooth. Stir in the buttermilk. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt and mix just until the ingredients are moistened. (The batter will be stiff.) Fold in the apple.
Spread the batter in the prepared pan. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cut into nine 3-inch squares. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 214; Protein: 4 g; Fat: 5 g; Sodium: 306 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 37 g; Exchanges: 2-1/2 Other Carbohydrate, 1/2 Fat
BAKED ACORN SQUASH WITH APPLE STUFFING
Yield: 4 stuffed squash halves (4 servings)
Source: The New Family Cookbook for People with Diabetes
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/803.shtml
Ingredients
2 small acorn squash (1-1/2 pounds total), halved and seeded
1 large or 2 small apples, peeled, diced
2 tablespoons diced celery
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
2 teaspoons margarine, melted
Pinch of salt
Pinch of freshly ground pepper
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Prepare a square baking pan with nonstick pan spray.
Place the squash cut side down in a baking pan. Bake 20 minutes.
While the squash is baking, combine the apples, celery, onion, margarine, and 2 tablespoons water in a medium bowl; mix well.
Turn the squash, cut sides up. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Divide the apple mixture to fill the cavities of the squash. bake the stuffed squash halves, covered with foil, for 30 minutes more. Serve hot.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 87; Protein: 1 g; Fat: 2 g; Sodium: 63 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Dietary Fiber: 5 g; Sugars: 10 g; Carbohydrates: 18 g; Exchanges: 1 Starch
MASHED TURNIPS WITH ROASTED GARLIC
Servings: 8
Source: The Diabetic Newsletter
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/34.shtml
Ingredients
1-1/2 pound small turnips, peeled and quartered
1 ripe bartlett pear, about 6 ounces, peeled, cored and chopped
4 cloves garlic, roasted and peeled
1 tablespoon margarine
2 tablespoons skim milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Directions
Steam turnips over boiling water until fork tender, about 15 minutes.
Drain turnips and place in a food processor or blender along with pear, garlic, and margarine.
Process until smooth, adding skim milk as needed.
Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 41; Protein: 1 g; Fat: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 7 g; Exchanges: 1 Vegetable
SLOW-COOKED SICILIAN POT ROAST
Yield: 8 servings
Source: "The Complete Diabetes Prevention Plan"
Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/60.shtml
Print Version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/744.shtml
Ingredients
2-1/2 pound well-trimmed top round roast or flat half brisket
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
1 cup chopped onions
1 cup chopped red or green bell peppers or 1 cup roasted bell peppers, drained and chopped
14-1/2 ounce can diced Italian-style tomatoes, undrained
6-ounce can tomato paste with roasted garlic or Italian seasonings
Directions
Rinse the meat with cool water and pat it dry with paper towels. Sprinkle both sides with some of the pepper. Coat a large nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray and preheat over medium-high heat. Place the meat in the skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until nicely browned.
Place the mushrooms, onions, and bell peppers in a 3-quart slow cooker and top with the roast. Pour the tomatoes over the meat. Cover and cook on high for 5 hours or on low for 10 hours, until the meat is very tender.
Remove the roast to a serving platter and cover loosely with aluminum foil to keep warm. Add the tomato paste to the remaining slow cooker mixture and stir to mix well.
Slice the roast across the grain and serve hot accompanied by the sauce. Serve with pasta if desired.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/8 of recipe): Calories: 221, Carbohydrate: 12 g, Cholesterol: 80 mg, Fat: 5.7 g, Saturated Fat: 1.7 g, Fiber: 2 g, Protein: 29 g, Sodium: 440 mg, Calcium: 36 mg, Diabetic Exchanges: 3 Lean Meat, 2 Vegetable
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Wednesday Recipes
Enjoy!
LOW FAT SLOPPY JOES
This is from Fiona Haynes, About.com's Low Fat Cooking expert. Fiona writes, "Turkey sloppy Joes make a great weeknight meal or a great game-day treat. For an extra nutritional punch, serve with whole-grain rolls instead of regular rolls, and offer baby carrots and grapes on the side."
Cook Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
2 tsp canola oil
1 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 small yellow bell pepper, chopped
3/4 pound lean ground turkey
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp oregano
1 14.5 ounce can no-salt-added tomato sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
12 small Kaiser rolls
Preparation:
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Sauté onions and peppers until softened. Add ground turkey and cook until no longer pink. Stir in chili powder and oregano and cook for 1 minute. Add tomato sauce, ketchup, tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce. Cook for 15-20 minutes.
Spoon about 1/3 cup of the turkey mixture into the bottom half of a small roll. Add top of roll, then serve.
Makes 12 servings
Per Serving: Calories 167, Calories from Fat 41, total Fat 4.5g (sat 0.9g), Cholesterol 22mg, Sodium 438mg, Carbohydrate 22.5g, Fiber 2.1g, Protein 8.9g
Per Serving using extra-lean ground turkey: Calories 158, Calories from Fat 24, Total Fat 2.6g (sat 0.3g), Cholesterol 11mg, Sodium 427mg, Carbohydrate 22.5g, Fiber 2.1g, Protein 11g
SPINACH, PEPPERS, AND CHERRY TOMATOES WITH PENNE RIGATE
This is from the November 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 28. It begins, "Fresh cherry tomatoes and spinach add bright color, flavor, and body to this Mediterranean-style dish." Serves 4 in 30 minutes or less.
To view online, click here.
2 1/2 cups penne rigate pasta (6 oz.)
1 Tbs. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
1 12-oz. jar roasted red peppers, rinsed, drained, patted dry, and sliced
10 oz. cherry tomatoes, halved (2 cups)
4 cups packed baby spinach leaves (8 oz.)
1/4 cup chopped pitted kalamata olives
1 Tbs. finely chopped fresh oregano
1 1/2 tsp. grated lemon zest
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
Prepare pasta according to package directions. Drain, and reserve 1/2 cup pasta-cooking water.
Meanwhile, heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, and cook 1 minute, stirring frequently, or until lightly browned.
Increase heat to high. Add roasted peppers, and cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until lightly browned, stirring occasionally.
Add tomatoes, spinach, olives, oregano, lemon zest, and pepper. Cook 4 to 6 minutes, or until tomatoes soften and spinach wilts, stirring frequently. Add pasta and reserved pasta-cooking water; cover, and cook 3 minutes more, or until heated through.
nutritional information Per 1 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 266; Protein: 8 g; Total Fat: 6 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 46 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 340 mg; Fiber: 7 g; Sugar: 4 g; Vegan
RIGATONI TORTE WITH RICOTTA AND FALL VEGETABLES
This comes from the November 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 55. It starts off, “Packed with autumn flavors, this impressive main dish is mac-and-cheese elevated to its highest form.” Serves 12.
To view this online, click here.
3 sprigs fresh sage plus 2 Tbs. chopped fresh sage, divided
12 oz. white or cremini mushrooms, quartered (6 cups)
3 small leeks, white and light green parts cut into 1/2-inch-thick rounds (3 cups)
12 oz. broccoli, cut into 1 1/2-inch florets (6 cups)
1 lb. uncooked rigatoni
4 Tbs. butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 32-oz. pkg. creamy butternut squash soup, such as Imagine Foods
2 cups grated Swiss or Gruyère cheese, divided
1 tsp. truffle oil, plus more for drizzling, optional
1 cup low-fat ricotta cheese
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 10-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Bring large pot of salted water to a boil with fresh sage sprigs; use this boiling water to separately blanch mushrooms (3 minutes), then leeks (2 minutes), and then broccoli (1 minute). Immediately transfer each vegetable to colander with slotted spoon, rinse under cold water, drain well, and transfer to 1 large bowl.
Cook rigatoni in boiling water 3 minutes less than cooking time recommended on package, then drain, rinse under cold water, and transfer to separate large bowl.
Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour, and cook 3 to 5 minutes, or until beginning to turn light brown, stirring constantly. Add butternut squash soup, and cook 5 minutes, or until thickened, stirring constantly. Stir in 1 cup grated cheese, chopped sage, and 1 tsp. truffle oil (if using); season with salt and pepper, if desired. Stir soup mixture into pasta, add blanched vegetables, and stir to combine.
Spread one-third of pasta mixture in prepared springform pan; dot with 1/3 cup ricotta cheese. Repeat twice with remaining pasta mixture and ricotta, and then sprinkle with remaining 1 cup grated cheese. (If making ahead, cover springform pan tightly with foil, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Uncover before baking.)
Place springform pan on large baking sheet, and bake 30 minutes, or until top is browned and cheese is melted. Let stand 5 minutes before unmolding and serving.
nutritional information Per 1-cup serving: Calories: 334; Protein: 15 g; Total Fat: 11 g; Saturated Fat: 7 g; Carbohydrates: 45 g; Cholesterol: 33 mg; Sodium: 296 mg; Fiber: 3 g; Sugar: 8 g
VIOLET BAKERY RYE BROWNIES
This comes from Melissa Clark in The New York Times' Cooking e-newsletter. (By the way, if you haven't signed up for their cooking e-newsletter, I highly recommend it!) Melissa writes, “You wouldn’t necessarily think adding rye flour to brownies would be a good idea, but it’s fabulous. The flour lends a deep earthiness that works wonderfully with the bittersweet depth of the chocolate. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top makes it taste even more chocolaty. These brownies are extremely moist, so don’t overbake them; they should still be a bit wobbly in the center when you pull them from the oven. They’ll solidify as they cool.” Time: 45 minutes, plus cooling; makes 12 brownies.
To view these decadent brownies online, click here.
Note: According to the newsletter that this recipe appeared in, the Violet Bakery is in London – one of the places I'd love to travel to some day. And if I ever do, I'll most likely check out the Violet Bakery!
Ingredients
11 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes, more for greasing pan
10 1/2 ounces bittersweet chocolate (60 to 70 percent cocoa), chopped
1 1/2 cups whole grain rye flour
1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
4 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup light brown sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon flaky sea salt, such as Maldon, for sprinkling on top
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan.
Using a double boiler, or in a metal bowl set over a saucepan containing an inch of simmering water (do not let bottom of bowl touch the water), melt the butter and chocolate, stirring with a heatproof rubber spatula. Let cool.
In a separate bowl, whisk together rye flour, cocoa, baking powder and sea salt.
Using an electric mixer, beat eggs, granulated and brown sugars and vanilla until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in melted chocolate mixture until smooth. Beat in flour mixture.
Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle lightly with flaky salt and bake until brownies are mostly firm, but with a very slight wobble in the center, about 25 minutes. (Note that a tester inserted in the center will not come out clean.) Let cool completely before cutting into squares. Serve within 1 day of baking.
RASPBERRY ROSE RUGELACH
This also comes from Melissa Clark in the same New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. (This is from Chicago's HotChocolate restaurant.) Melissa writes, “With its garnet-hued raspberry jam filling and fragrant rose sugar topping, this rugelach is a vivid departure from more traditional incarnations. It also uses two different kinds of salt, which provide forthright seasoning and a bare hint of crunch. You can make them up to 5 days ahead, if stored in an airtight container.” Time: 4 hours; makes 4 dozen rugelach
To view this yummy recipe online, click here.
Ingredients
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons rose water
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon flaky sea salt
8 ounces unsalted butter (2 sticks), at room temperature
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Nonstick spray
1 1/2 cups raspberry jam
1 large egg white, lightly beaten
Preparation
In a medium bowl, combine 1/2 cup sugar and the rose water. Rub together, then leave uncovered to dry, at least 2 hours. When dry, rub between fingers or use a mortar and pestle to break up any large chunks. (Rose sugar can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored airtight at room temperature.)
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together flour, kosher salt and sea salt.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter on medium speed for 5 to 10 seconds. Beat in cream cheese. Beat in remaining 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl, then beat in vanilla.
With mixer on low speed, beat in flour mixture until dough comes together but still looks shaggy, about 30 seconds.
Dump dough and crumbs onto the counter and use your hands or a plastic bench scraper to bring dough together into a mass. Divide dough in half, wrap in plastic wrap and pat into rectangles. Chill at least 2 hours and up to 1 week.
Lightly dust an 11-by-17-inch piece of parchment paper with flour. Place 1 dough rectangle onto the parchment, dust with flour, cover with another piece of parchment, and roll dough out into a rectangle, leaving a 1-inch border between edge of parchment and dough. If dough sticks, peel back parchment, dust with more flour, replace parchment. Repeat with second dough half, then chill for 30 minutes.
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper and lightly coat with nonstick spray.
Working with one sheet at a time, move rolled-out dough to work surface. Peel one layer of parchment off to unstick it from the dough, replace it lightly on top of the dough, then flip and peel other side off. Spread 3/4 cup jam in a thin, even layer on dough. Using a fluted dough cutter (or a sharp paring knife), trim edges and divide dough in half lengthwise into two long strips. Working with one strip at a time and moving crosswise, cut diagonal lines to form triangles with flat tips, with each base about 2 inches wide and each tip about 1/4 inch wide. There should be about 12 triangles per strip.
Using an offset spatula, separate a triangle away from rest of dough. Starting from the wide base, roll dough up and place tip-side down on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining triangles, spacing them 1 inch apart.
Brush tops of rugelach with egg white and sprinkle with rose sugar. Bake, rotating pans halfway through, until golden, 22 to 28 minutes. Cool on sheet pans for 2 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT WHOOPIE PIES
This comes from Katie Lee on The Food Network. Total Time: 3 hr 15 min; Prep: 45 min; Inactive: 2 hr; Cook: 30 min; Yield: 20 to 24 whoopie pies; Level: Intermediate
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/katie-lee/chocolate-peppermint-whoopie-pies.print.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
Cookies:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1 cup granulated sugar
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup milk
Nonstick cooking spray, for spraying the parchment
Filling:
2 cups confectioners' sugar
2/3 cup vegetable shortening
1 cup marshmallow creme
1 to 2 tablespoons milk
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
About 12 candy canes, crushed
Directions
For the cookies: Whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Sift into another large bowl.
Beat the granulated sugar and butter together in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the egg and beat until incorporated. Beat in the vanilla. Alternate adding the dry mixture and the milk, beginning and ending with the dry mixture. Mix until just incorporated. Refrigerate the dough until chilled, about 1 hour.
Adjust the oven racks to the top and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment and lightly coat with cooking spray.
Drop tablespoonfuls of batter about 3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets (about 6 cookies per baking sheet). Keep the remaining batter chilled while working.
Bake until the cookies puff up and the tops are no longer glossy, about 7 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, about 1 hour. Let the baking sheets cool, then reline with parchment, lightly coat with cooking spray and bake the remaining batter in batches (cool, reline and spray the baking sheets each time).
For the filling: Beat the confectioners' sugar and shortening in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Add the marshmallow creme, milk and peppermint extract and beat until light and airy, about 5 minutes.
Spread a heaping tablespoon of the filling on half of the cookies. Sandwich with the remaining halves, pushing down slightly to move the filling to the edge. Put the crushed candy canes on a plate and roll the sides of the whoopie pies in the candy.
LOW FAT SLOPPY JOES
This is from Fiona Haynes, About.com's Low Fat Cooking expert. Fiona writes, "Turkey sloppy Joes make a great weeknight meal or a great game-day treat. For an extra nutritional punch, serve with whole-grain rolls instead of regular rolls, and offer baby carrots and grapes on the side."
Cook Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
2 tsp canola oil
1 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 small yellow bell pepper, chopped
3/4 pound lean ground turkey
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp oregano
1 14.5 ounce can no-salt-added tomato sauce
1/4 cup ketchup
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
12 small Kaiser rolls
Preparation:
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Sauté onions and peppers until softened. Add ground turkey and cook until no longer pink. Stir in chili powder and oregano and cook for 1 minute. Add tomato sauce, ketchup, tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce. Cook for 15-20 minutes.
Spoon about 1/3 cup of the turkey mixture into the bottom half of a small roll. Add top of roll, then serve.
Makes 12 servings
Per Serving: Calories 167, Calories from Fat 41, total Fat 4.5g (sat 0.9g), Cholesterol 22mg, Sodium 438mg, Carbohydrate 22.5g, Fiber 2.1g, Protein 8.9g
Per Serving using extra-lean ground turkey: Calories 158, Calories from Fat 24, Total Fat 2.6g (sat 0.3g), Cholesterol 11mg, Sodium 427mg, Carbohydrate 22.5g, Fiber 2.1g, Protein 11g
SPINACH, PEPPERS, AND CHERRY TOMATOES WITH PENNE RIGATE
This is from the November 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 28. It begins, "Fresh cherry tomatoes and spinach add bright color, flavor, and body to this Mediterranean-style dish." Serves 4 in 30 minutes or less.
To view online, click here.
2 1/2 cups penne rigate pasta (6 oz.)
1 Tbs. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced (2 tsp.)
1 12-oz. jar roasted red peppers, rinsed, drained, patted dry, and sliced
10 oz. cherry tomatoes, halved (2 cups)
4 cups packed baby spinach leaves (8 oz.)
1/4 cup chopped pitted kalamata olives
1 Tbs. finely chopped fresh oregano
1 1/2 tsp. grated lemon zest
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
Prepare pasta according to package directions. Drain, and reserve 1/2 cup pasta-cooking water.
Meanwhile, heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, and cook 1 minute, stirring frequently, or until lightly browned.
Increase heat to high. Add roasted peppers, and cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until lightly browned, stirring occasionally.
Add tomatoes, spinach, olives, oregano, lemon zest, and pepper. Cook 4 to 6 minutes, or until tomatoes soften and spinach wilts, stirring frequently. Add pasta and reserved pasta-cooking water; cover, and cook 3 minutes more, or until heated through.
nutritional information Per 1 1/2-cup serving: Calories: 266; Protein: 8 g; Total Fat: 6 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 46 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 340 mg; Fiber: 7 g; Sugar: 4 g; Vegan
RIGATONI TORTE WITH RICOTTA AND FALL VEGETABLES
This comes from the November 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 55. It starts off, “Packed with autumn flavors, this impressive main dish is mac-and-cheese elevated to its highest form.” Serves 12.
To view this online, click here.
3 sprigs fresh sage plus 2 Tbs. chopped fresh sage, divided
12 oz. white or cremini mushrooms, quartered (6 cups)
3 small leeks, white and light green parts cut into 1/2-inch-thick rounds (3 cups)
12 oz. broccoli, cut into 1 1/2-inch florets (6 cups)
1 lb. uncooked rigatoni
4 Tbs. butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 32-oz. pkg. creamy butternut squash soup, such as Imagine Foods
2 cups grated Swiss or Gruyère cheese, divided
1 tsp. truffle oil, plus more for drizzling, optional
1 cup low-fat ricotta cheese
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 10-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Bring large pot of salted water to a boil with fresh sage sprigs; use this boiling water to separately blanch mushrooms (3 minutes), then leeks (2 minutes), and then broccoli (1 minute). Immediately transfer each vegetable to colander with slotted spoon, rinse under cold water, drain well, and transfer to 1 large bowl.
Cook rigatoni in boiling water 3 minutes less than cooking time recommended on package, then drain, rinse under cold water, and transfer to separate large bowl.
Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour, and cook 3 to 5 minutes, or until beginning to turn light brown, stirring constantly. Add butternut squash soup, and cook 5 minutes, or until thickened, stirring constantly. Stir in 1 cup grated cheese, chopped sage, and 1 tsp. truffle oil (if using); season with salt and pepper, if desired. Stir soup mixture into pasta, add blanched vegetables, and stir to combine.
Spread one-third of pasta mixture in prepared springform pan; dot with 1/3 cup ricotta cheese. Repeat twice with remaining pasta mixture and ricotta, and then sprinkle with remaining 1 cup grated cheese. (If making ahead, cover springform pan tightly with foil, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Uncover before baking.)
Place springform pan on large baking sheet, and bake 30 minutes, or until top is browned and cheese is melted. Let stand 5 minutes before unmolding and serving.
nutritional information Per 1-cup serving: Calories: 334; Protein: 15 g; Total Fat: 11 g; Saturated Fat: 7 g; Carbohydrates: 45 g; Cholesterol: 33 mg; Sodium: 296 mg; Fiber: 3 g; Sugar: 8 g
VIOLET BAKERY RYE BROWNIES
This comes from Melissa Clark in The New York Times' Cooking e-newsletter. (By the way, if you haven't signed up for their cooking e-newsletter, I highly recommend it!) Melissa writes, “You wouldn’t necessarily think adding rye flour to brownies would be a good idea, but it’s fabulous. The flour lends a deep earthiness that works wonderfully with the bittersweet depth of the chocolate. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top makes it taste even more chocolaty. These brownies are extremely moist, so don’t overbake them; they should still be a bit wobbly in the center when you pull them from the oven. They’ll solidify as they cool.” Time: 45 minutes, plus cooling; makes 12 brownies.
To view these decadent brownies online, click here.
Note: According to the newsletter that this recipe appeared in, the Violet Bakery is in London – one of the places I'd love to travel to some day. And if I ever do, I'll most likely check out the Violet Bakery!
Ingredients
11 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes, more for greasing pan
10 1/2 ounces bittersweet chocolate (60 to 70 percent cocoa), chopped
1 1/2 cups whole grain rye flour
1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
4 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup light brown sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon flaky sea salt, such as Maldon, for sprinkling on top
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan.
Using a double boiler, or in a metal bowl set over a saucepan containing an inch of simmering water (do not let bottom of bowl touch the water), melt the butter and chocolate, stirring with a heatproof rubber spatula. Let cool.
In a separate bowl, whisk together rye flour, cocoa, baking powder and sea salt.
Using an electric mixer, beat eggs, granulated and brown sugars and vanilla until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Beat in melted chocolate mixture until smooth. Beat in flour mixture.
Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle lightly with flaky salt and bake until brownies are mostly firm, but with a very slight wobble in the center, about 25 minutes. (Note that a tester inserted in the center will not come out clean.) Let cool completely before cutting into squares. Serve within 1 day of baking.
RASPBERRY ROSE RUGELACH
This also comes from Melissa Clark in the same New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. (This is from Chicago's HotChocolate restaurant.) Melissa writes, “With its garnet-hued raspberry jam filling and fragrant rose sugar topping, this rugelach is a vivid departure from more traditional incarnations. It also uses two different kinds of salt, which provide forthright seasoning and a bare hint of crunch. You can make them up to 5 days ahead, if stored in an airtight container.” Time: 4 hours; makes 4 dozen rugelach
To view this yummy recipe online, click here.
Ingredients
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons rose water
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon flaky sea salt
8 ounces unsalted butter (2 sticks), at room temperature
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Nonstick spray
1 1/2 cups raspberry jam
1 large egg white, lightly beaten
Preparation
In a medium bowl, combine 1/2 cup sugar and the rose water. Rub together, then leave uncovered to dry, at least 2 hours. When dry, rub between fingers or use a mortar and pestle to break up any large chunks. (Rose sugar can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored airtight at room temperature.)
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together flour, kosher salt and sea salt.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter on medium speed for 5 to 10 seconds. Beat in cream cheese. Beat in remaining 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl, then beat in vanilla.
With mixer on low speed, beat in flour mixture until dough comes together but still looks shaggy, about 30 seconds.
Dump dough and crumbs onto the counter and use your hands or a plastic bench scraper to bring dough together into a mass. Divide dough in half, wrap in plastic wrap and pat into rectangles. Chill at least 2 hours and up to 1 week.
Lightly dust an 11-by-17-inch piece of parchment paper with flour. Place 1 dough rectangle onto the parchment, dust with flour, cover with another piece of parchment, and roll dough out into a rectangle, leaving a 1-inch border between edge of parchment and dough. If dough sticks, peel back parchment, dust with more flour, replace parchment. Repeat with second dough half, then chill for 30 minutes.
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper and lightly coat with nonstick spray.
Working with one sheet at a time, move rolled-out dough to work surface. Peel one layer of parchment off to unstick it from the dough, replace it lightly on top of the dough, then flip and peel other side off. Spread 3/4 cup jam in a thin, even layer on dough. Using a fluted dough cutter (or a sharp paring knife), trim edges and divide dough in half lengthwise into two long strips. Working with one strip at a time and moving crosswise, cut diagonal lines to form triangles with flat tips, with each base about 2 inches wide and each tip about 1/4 inch wide. There should be about 12 triangles per strip.
Using an offset spatula, separate a triangle away from rest of dough. Starting from the wide base, roll dough up and place tip-side down on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining triangles, spacing them 1 inch apart.
Brush tops of rugelach with egg white and sprinkle with rose sugar. Bake, rotating pans halfway through, until golden, 22 to 28 minutes. Cool on sheet pans for 2 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT WHOOPIE PIES
This comes from Katie Lee on The Food Network. Total Time: 3 hr 15 min; Prep: 45 min; Inactive: 2 hr; Cook: 30 min; Yield: 20 to 24 whoopie pies; Level: Intermediate
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/katie-lee/chocolate-peppermint-whoopie-pies.print.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
Cookies:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1 cup granulated sugar
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup milk
Nonstick cooking spray, for spraying the parchment
Filling:
2 cups confectioners' sugar
2/3 cup vegetable shortening
1 cup marshmallow creme
1 to 2 tablespoons milk
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
About 12 candy canes, crushed
Directions
For the cookies: Whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Sift into another large bowl.
Beat the granulated sugar and butter together in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the egg and beat until incorporated. Beat in the vanilla. Alternate adding the dry mixture and the milk, beginning and ending with the dry mixture. Mix until just incorporated. Refrigerate the dough until chilled, about 1 hour.
Adjust the oven racks to the top and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment and lightly coat with cooking spray.
Drop tablespoonfuls of batter about 3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets (about 6 cookies per baking sheet). Keep the remaining batter chilled while working.
Bake until the cookies puff up and the tops are no longer glossy, about 7 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, about 1 hour. Let the baking sheets cool, then reline with parchment, lightly coat with cooking spray and bake the remaining batter in batches (cool, reline and spray the baking sheets each time).
For the filling: Beat the confectioners' sugar and shortening in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Add the marshmallow creme, milk and peppermint extract and beat until light and airy, about 5 minutes.
Spread a heaping tablespoon of the filling on half of the cookies. Sandwich with the remaining halves, pushing down slightly to move the filling to the edge. Put the crushed candy canes on a plate and roll the sides of the whoopie pies in the candy.
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Tuesday Recipes
Here are today's six yummy recipes; I think that there's a little something for everyone. Enjoy!
ROASTED CHICKEN AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH
This comes from Tablespoon's newsletter. It begins, “This fall feast on roasted chicken and butternut squash – a delectable dinner!” Prep Time: 15 min; Total Time: 55 min; Makes 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 bone-in chicken breasts (about 2 lb), skinned
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
5 cups cubed (1/2 inch) peeled butternut squash (2 1/4 lb)
1 teaspoon fines herbs
3 tablespoons dry white wine or chicken broth
Directions
Heat oven to 450°F. Spray roasting pan with cooking spray. Place chicken in pan. Brush chicken with 1 1/2 teaspoons of the oil; sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper.
In large bowl, toss squash with remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil. Sprinkle with fines herbes, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper; toss well. Add squash to roasting pan.
Roast uncovered 38 to 40 minutes or until juice of chicken is clear when thickest part is cut to bone (at least 165°F). Remove chicken and squash to serving platter; cover to keep warm.
Add wine to pan drippings; heat to boiling over high heat, scraping bottom of pan to loosen brown particles. Reduce heat; cook 2 minutes or until reduced to 1/4 cup.
To serve, top each chicken breast with 1 tablespoon sauce. Serve with squash.
90-MINUTE BROWN BUTTER CINNAMON ROLLS
This comes from The Baker Chick (otherwise known as Audra). If you haven't signed up for her newsletter, I recommend it! Prep Time: 70 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes; Yield: 12 rolls
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Dough:
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup butter
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 (.25 ounce) package instant yeast (or 2 1/4 teaspoons)
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup water
1 egg
Filling:
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon of butter
Frosting:
2 tablespoons softened butter
4 oz cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla extract or paste
2-3 cups of powdered sugar (depending on how sweet you like it.)
Instructions
Heat the milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then remove from heat. Mix in butter; stir until melted. Let cool until lukewarm.
In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 1/4 cup flour, yeast, sugar and salt; whisk together. Add water, egg and the milk mixture; beat well with an electric mixer. Add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, using a wooden spoon to stir well after each addition. (dough will be too thick and sticky to use the mixers at this point.)
When the dough has just pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about 5 minutes, or alternately use the dough hook in a stand mixer. When ready, the dough will spring back when lightly pressed.
Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let rest on the counter for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, brown your butter by placing it in a small microwave safe glass bowl or container. Cover it with a saucer or other well-fitted cover and microwave for 3-5 minutes. Butter will melt, pop and then turn brown. (you can also do this over the stove-top, but I find the microwave method pretty easy.) While butter cools slightly, mix together brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough into a 12x9 inch rectangle. (use your 9x13 baking dish as a guide.) Using a pastry brush- slather the dough with the brown butter. Sprinkle dough with cinnamon sugar mixture and press in lightly so it doesn't fall out when you roll it, getting all the way to the edges.
Roll up dough and pinch seam to seal. Using a serrated knife, cut into 12 equal size rolls and place in a 9x13 baking dish. Cover and let the rolls rise in a warm place* until doubled, about 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Bake in the preheated oven for 17-20 minutes, or until golden. Let cool for about 10 minutes and then spread them with frosting. (directions below) Serve warm.
To make the frosting:
Whip together the softened butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla and the powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time. Beat until creamy and spreadable.
Notes:
*When it's cold in my kitchen, I like to preheat the oven for a few minutes, (usually to about 200F,) and proof them in there.
LENTIL VEGETABLE SOUP
This comes from Ina Garten of The Food Network's Barefoot Contessa. Total Time: 2 hr 5 min; Prep: 20 min; Inactive: 15 min; Cook: 1 hr 30 min; Yield: 8 to 10 servings; Level: Easy
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/lentil-vegetable-soup-recipe.print.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
1 pound French green lentils
4 cups chopped yellow onions (3 large onions)
4 cups chopped leeks, white part only (2 leeks)
1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
1/4 cup good olive oil, plus additional for drizzling on top
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried
1 teaspoon ground cumin
3 cups medium-diced celery (8 stalks)
3 cups medium-diced carrots (4 to 6 carrots)
3 quarts chicken stock
1/4 cup tomato paste
2 tablespoons red wine or red wine vinegar
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
In a large bowl, cover the lentils with boiling water and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Drain.
In a large stockpot on medium heat, saute the onions, leeks, and garlic with the olive oil, salt, pepper, thyme, and cumin for 20 minutes, until the vegetables are translucent and very tender. Add the celery and carrots and saute for 10 more minutes. Add the chicken stock, tomato paste, and lentils. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 1 hour, until the lentils are cooked through. Check the seasonings. Add the red wine and serve hot, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with grated Parmesan.
CHOCOLATE COCONUT CAKE
This comes from Melissa Clark in The New York Times' Cooking e-newsletter. Melissa writes, “The fine, feathery crumb of this dessert, which is on the lighter side of chocolate cakes, is balanced by a slather of glossy, fudgy frosting. A topping of shredded coconut provides additional richness and texture. Make it the day before serving; its flavor only improves overnight.” Time: 1 1/4 hours, plus cooling; makes one 10-inch torte, 8 to 10 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
7 ounces unsalted butter (1 3/4 sticks), plus more for the pan
5 1/4 ounces chopped dark chocolate (at least 60 percent)
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon unsweetened shredded coconut
4 large eggs, whites and yolks separated
1 cup superfine sugar
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream
For the Frosting:
7 ounces chopped dark chocolate (at least 60 percent)
1/2 ounce unsalted butter (1 tablespoon)
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees, and bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Butter a 10-inch springform pan.
Make the cake: In a metal bowl, combine the butter and chocolate; place the bowl over (not in) the pot of simmering water. Melt the chocolate, stirring occasionally, then remove from heat to cool slightly. (Alternatively, melt the chocolate and butter in the microwave on a low setting.)
Into a medium bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, cocoa powder and salt. Add the shredded coconut and stir to combine.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the egg yolks and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add the cooled chocolate mixture, mix to combine. Alternating, fold the flour mixture and the cream into the batter.
In the clean bowl of an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until stiff, then fold gently into the batter. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of cake emerges clean, about 50 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
Make the frosting: In a medium heatproof bowl, melt the chocolate over a pot of simmering water (or you can do this in a microwave on a low setting). Remove from heat and stir in the butter. Cool slightly, until the chocolate thickens somewhat, then spread the frosting over the cake. Sprinkle coconut on top; let set, then serve.
SEPHARDIC CHALLAH WITH WHOLE SPICES
This comes from Julia Moskin in the The New York Times' Cooking e-newsletter. Julia writes, “Challah is tremendously popular in the United States, among Jews and non-Jews alike. But it doesn’t say anywhere in Jewish scripture that challah is a braided, sweet, eggy, deliciously squishy bread of the kind familiar to most Americans; that loaf is Ashkenazi, from Eastern European Jews. The Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews from North Africa and the Middle East, have their own distinct traditional loaves. Here, use the raisins, eggs and full amount of honey to make a richer, festive Sephardic loaf that is delicious by itself; leave them out for a lean, savory Mizrahi bread that goes beautifully with Moroccan tagines and Middle Eastern mezes, salads and dips.” Time: 4 to 5 hours; makes 2 round loaves.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1/2 cup raisins, dark or golden or a combination (optional)
4 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 tablespoon caraway or coriander seeds
1 tablespoon anise, cumin or poppy seeds
1 envelope active dry yeast
5 cups bread flour, more for dusting work surface
2 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, more for oiling bowl and pans
2 to 4 tablespoons honey (depending on how sweet you like your challah)
2 eggs, at room temperature (optional)
1 tablespoon/16 grams kosher salt
Cornmeal, for dusting
2 egg yolks
Preparation
If using, cover raisins in 2 cups warm water and let plump for 30 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
In a skillet, toast 1 tablespoon sesame, the caraway and the anise or other seeds over moderate heat until fragrant, 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate and let cool.
In a small bowl, combine yeast with 2 tablespoons warm water (you can use the soaking water from the raisins if handy). Let stand until thoroughly moistened, about 5 minutes.
In the bowl of a standing electric mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine flour with olive oil, honey, eggs (if using) and warm water (3/4 cup if using eggs; 1 1/2 cups if not).
Mix at low speed until a very soft dough forms. If it is stiff, add warm water a tablespoon at a time. Add salt, yeast mixture and toasted seeds and mix at medium-low speed until the dough is supple and smooth, 10 minutes. Mix in raisins. Using oiled hands, transfer the dough to a large oiled bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let stand in a draft-free spot until the dough is doubled in size, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Lightly oil 2 small cookie sheets and dust them with cornmeal. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and press to deflate. Cut the dough in half and let rest for 5 minutes. Roll each piece into an 18-inch-long rope and let rest for 5 minutes longer, then roll each rope into a 32-inch rope. Take 1 of the ropes and, starting from 1 end, form the dough into a coil; tuck the ends under the completed coil. Repeat with the remaining rope.
Transfer each coil to a baking sheet and cover each loaf with a large inverted bowl. Let stand for 1 hour, until the loaves have nearly doubled in bulk. (The risen loaves can be frozen, wrapped, for up to 2 weeks; top and bake just before serving.)
Heat oven to 400 degrees. In a bowl, whisk egg yolks with 1 tablespoon water. Brush the egg wash over the loaves and let stand uncovered for 30 minutes. Brush with the egg wash once more and sprinkle with the reserved sesame seeds. Bake the loaves side-by-side in the center of the oven for 30 minutes, until they're golden and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. Transfer the loaves to racks and let cool before serving or slicing.
CHEESY ENCHILADA QUINO CASSEROLE
This comes from the Tablespoon newsletter. It begins, “You already love enchiladas. So why not try another way to enjoy them? This one callsl for quinoa instead of corn tortillas, and tastes like a dream.” Prep Time: 15 min; Total time: 60 min; Servings: 12
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
3 cups cooked quinoa
1 pound ground turkey, browned
1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained
1 (10 oz.) can Old El Paso™ enchilada sauce
1 (15 oz.) can Muir Glen™ organic fire roasted crushed tomatoes
1 packet Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix
4 cups shredded Mexican or pepper jack cheese
1/2 avocado, diced
1 roma tomato, finely diced
1/4 cup Green Giant™ SteamCrisp™ Niblets™ corn
2 tablespoons cilantro, freshly chopped
Directions
Preheat oven to 400º F. In a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish, mix together quinoa, turkey, black beans, enchilada sauce, tomatoes and taco sesasoning. Top with 3 cups shredded cheese.
Bake for 20-35 minutes, or until cheese melts.
Remove from oven, stir casserole to mix, and top with remaining 1 cup of cheese, diced avocado, tomato, corn niblets and cilantro. Return to oven and bake for 7-10 minutes more, until cheese melts completely. Serve and enjoy!
ROASTED CHICKEN AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH
This comes from Tablespoon's newsletter. It begins, “This fall feast on roasted chicken and butternut squash – a delectable dinner!” Prep Time: 15 min; Total Time: 55 min; Makes 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
4 bone-in chicken breasts (about 2 lb), skinned
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
5 cups cubed (1/2 inch) peeled butternut squash (2 1/4 lb)
1 teaspoon fines herbs
3 tablespoons dry white wine or chicken broth
Directions
Heat oven to 450°F. Spray roasting pan with cooking spray. Place chicken in pan. Brush chicken with 1 1/2 teaspoons of the oil; sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper.
In large bowl, toss squash with remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil. Sprinkle with fines herbes, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper; toss well. Add squash to roasting pan.
Roast uncovered 38 to 40 minutes or until juice of chicken is clear when thickest part is cut to bone (at least 165°F). Remove chicken and squash to serving platter; cover to keep warm.
Add wine to pan drippings; heat to boiling over high heat, scraping bottom of pan to loosen brown particles. Reduce heat; cook 2 minutes or until reduced to 1/4 cup.
To serve, top each chicken breast with 1 tablespoon sauce. Serve with squash.
90-MINUTE BROWN BUTTER CINNAMON ROLLS
This comes from The Baker Chick (otherwise known as Audra). If you haven't signed up for her newsletter, I recommend it! Prep Time: 70 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes; Yield: 12 rolls
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
Dough:
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup butter
3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 (.25 ounce) package instant yeast (or 2 1/4 teaspoons)
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup water
1 egg
Filling:
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon of butter
Frosting:
2 tablespoons softened butter
4 oz cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla extract or paste
2-3 cups of powdered sugar (depending on how sweet you like it.)
Instructions
Heat the milk in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then remove from heat. Mix in butter; stir until melted. Let cool until lukewarm.
In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 1/4 cup flour, yeast, sugar and salt; whisk together. Add water, egg and the milk mixture; beat well with an electric mixer. Add the remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, using a wooden spoon to stir well after each addition. (dough will be too thick and sticky to use the mixers at this point.)
When the dough has just pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about 5 minutes, or alternately use the dough hook in a stand mixer. When ready, the dough will spring back when lightly pressed.
Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let rest on the counter for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, brown your butter by placing it in a small microwave safe glass bowl or container. Cover it with a saucer or other well-fitted cover and microwave for 3-5 minutes. Butter will melt, pop and then turn brown. (you can also do this over the stove-top, but I find the microwave method pretty easy.) While butter cools slightly, mix together brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough into a 12x9 inch rectangle. (use your 9x13 baking dish as a guide.) Using a pastry brush- slather the dough with the brown butter. Sprinkle dough with cinnamon sugar mixture and press in lightly so it doesn't fall out when you roll it, getting all the way to the edges.
Roll up dough and pinch seam to seal. Using a serrated knife, cut into 12 equal size rolls and place in a 9x13 baking dish. Cover and let the rolls rise in a warm place* until doubled, about 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Bake in the preheated oven for 17-20 minutes, or until golden. Let cool for about 10 minutes and then spread them with frosting. (directions below) Serve warm.
To make the frosting:
Whip together the softened butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla and the powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time. Beat until creamy and spreadable.
Notes:
*When it's cold in my kitchen, I like to preheat the oven for a few minutes, (usually to about 200F,) and proof them in there.
LENTIL VEGETABLE SOUP
This comes from Ina Garten of The Food Network's Barefoot Contessa. Total Time: 2 hr 5 min; Prep: 20 min; Inactive: 15 min; Cook: 1 hr 30 min; Yield: 8 to 10 servings; Level: Easy
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/lentil-vegetable-soup-recipe.print.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
1 pound French green lentils
4 cups chopped yellow onions (3 large onions)
4 cups chopped leeks, white part only (2 leeks)
1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
1/4 cup good olive oil, plus additional for drizzling on top
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried
1 teaspoon ground cumin
3 cups medium-diced celery (8 stalks)
3 cups medium-diced carrots (4 to 6 carrots)
3 quarts chicken stock
1/4 cup tomato paste
2 tablespoons red wine or red wine vinegar
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
In a large bowl, cover the lentils with boiling water and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Drain.
In a large stockpot on medium heat, saute the onions, leeks, and garlic with the olive oil, salt, pepper, thyme, and cumin for 20 minutes, until the vegetables are translucent and very tender. Add the celery and carrots and saute for 10 more minutes. Add the chicken stock, tomato paste, and lentils. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 1 hour, until the lentils are cooked through. Check the seasonings. Add the red wine and serve hot, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with grated Parmesan.
CHOCOLATE COCONUT CAKE
This comes from Melissa Clark in The New York Times' Cooking e-newsletter. Melissa writes, “The fine, feathery crumb of this dessert, which is on the lighter side of chocolate cakes, is balanced by a slather of glossy, fudgy frosting. A topping of shredded coconut provides additional richness and texture. Make it the day before serving; its flavor only improves overnight.” Time: 1 1/4 hours, plus cooling; makes one 10-inch torte, 8 to 10 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
7 ounces unsalted butter (1 3/4 sticks), plus more for the pan
5 1/4 ounces chopped dark chocolate (at least 60 percent)
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon unsweetened shredded coconut
4 large eggs, whites and yolks separated
1 cup superfine sugar
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream
For the Frosting:
7 ounces chopped dark chocolate (at least 60 percent)
1/2 ounce unsalted butter (1 tablespoon)
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees, and bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Butter a 10-inch springform pan.
Make the cake: In a metal bowl, combine the butter and chocolate; place the bowl over (not in) the pot of simmering water. Melt the chocolate, stirring occasionally, then remove from heat to cool slightly. (Alternatively, melt the chocolate and butter in the microwave on a low setting.)
Into a medium bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, cocoa powder and salt. Add the shredded coconut and stir to combine.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the egg yolks and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add the cooled chocolate mixture, mix to combine. Alternating, fold the flour mixture and the cream into the batter.
In the clean bowl of an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until stiff, then fold gently into the batter. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of cake emerges clean, about 50 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
Make the frosting: In a medium heatproof bowl, melt the chocolate over a pot of simmering water (or you can do this in a microwave on a low setting). Remove from heat and stir in the butter. Cool slightly, until the chocolate thickens somewhat, then spread the frosting over the cake. Sprinkle coconut on top; let set, then serve.
SEPHARDIC CHALLAH WITH WHOLE SPICES
This comes from Julia Moskin in the The New York Times' Cooking e-newsletter. Julia writes, “Challah is tremendously popular in the United States, among Jews and non-Jews alike. But it doesn’t say anywhere in Jewish scripture that challah is a braided, sweet, eggy, deliciously squishy bread of the kind familiar to most Americans; that loaf is Ashkenazi, from Eastern European Jews. The Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews from North Africa and the Middle East, have their own distinct traditional loaves. Here, use the raisins, eggs and full amount of honey to make a richer, festive Sephardic loaf that is delicious by itself; leave them out for a lean, savory Mizrahi bread that goes beautifully with Moroccan tagines and Middle Eastern mezes, salads and dips.” Time: 4 to 5 hours; makes 2 round loaves.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1/2 cup raisins, dark or golden or a combination (optional)
4 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 tablespoon caraway or coriander seeds
1 tablespoon anise, cumin or poppy seeds
1 envelope active dry yeast
5 cups bread flour, more for dusting work surface
2 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, more for oiling bowl and pans
2 to 4 tablespoons honey (depending on how sweet you like your challah)
2 eggs, at room temperature (optional)
1 tablespoon/16 grams kosher salt
Cornmeal, for dusting
2 egg yolks
Preparation
If using, cover raisins in 2 cups warm water and let plump for 30 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
In a skillet, toast 1 tablespoon sesame, the caraway and the anise or other seeds over moderate heat until fragrant, 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate and let cool.
In a small bowl, combine yeast with 2 tablespoons warm water (you can use the soaking water from the raisins if handy). Let stand until thoroughly moistened, about 5 minutes.
In the bowl of a standing electric mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine flour with olive oil, honey, eggs (if using) and warm water (3/4 cup if using eggs; 1 1/2 cups if not).
Mix at low speed until a very soft dough forms. If it is stiff, add warm water a tablespoon at a time. Add salt, yeast mixture and toasted seeds and mix at medium-low speed until the dough is supple and smooth, 10 minutes. Mix in raisins. Using oiled hands, transfer the dough to a large oiled bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let stand in a draft-free spot until the dough is doubled in size, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Lightly oil 2 small cookie sheets and dust them with cornmeal. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and press to deflate. Cut the dough in half and let rest for 5 minutes. Roll each piece into an 18-inch-long rope and let rest for 5 minutes longer, then roll each rope into a 32-inch rope. Take 1 of the ropes and, starting from 1 end, form the dough into a coil; tuck the ends under the completed coil. Repeat with the remaining rope.
Transfer each coil to a baking sheet and cover each loaf with a large inverted bowl. Let stand for 1 hour, until the loaves have nearly doubled in bulk. (The risen loaves can be frozen, wrapped, for up to 2 weeks; top and bake just before serving.)
Heat oven to 400 degrees. In a bowl, whisk egg yolks with 1 tablespoon water. Brush the egg wash over the loaves and let stand uncovered for 30 minutes. Brush with the egg wash once more and sprinkle with the reserved sesame seeds. Bake the loaves side-by-side in the center of the oven for 30 minutes, until they're golden and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. Transfer the loaves to racks and let cool before serving or slicing.
CHEESY ENCHILADA QUINO CASSEROLE
This comes from the Tablespoon newsletter. It begins, “You already love enchiladas. So why not try another way to enjoy them? This one callsl for quinoa instead of corn tortillas, and tastes like a dream.” Prep Time: 15 min; Total time: 60 min; Servings: 12
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
3 cups cooked quinoa
1 pound ground turkey, browned
1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained
1 (10 oz.) can Old El Paso™ enchilada sauce
1 (15 oz.) can Muir Glen™ organic fire roasted crushed tomatoes
1 packet Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix
4 cups shredded Mexican or pepper jack cheese
1/2 avocado, diced
1 roma tomato, finely diced
1/4 cup Green Giant™ SteamCrisp™ Niblets™ corn
2 tablespoons cilantro, freshly chopped
Directions
Preheat oven to 400º F. In a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish, mix together quinoa, turkey, black beans, enchilada sauce, tomatoes and taco sesasoning. Top with 3 cups shredded cheese.
Bake for 20-35 minutes, or until cheese melts.
Remove from oven, stir casserole to mix, and top with remaining 1 cup of cheese, diced avocado, tomato, corn niblets and cilantro. Return to oven and bake for 7-10 minutes more, until cheese melts completely. Serve and enjoy!
Monday, December 14, 2015
Meatless Monday
Christmas is almost here. It really doesn't seem possible, does it? Here are a few vegetarian recipes to help with your Christmas meal. Enjoy!
ROASTED GREEN BEAN BUNDLES
This recipe comes from the November 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 58. It starts off, “These individual bundles of seasoned, roasted green beans will impress guests and make serving a cinch.” Serves 8 in 30 minutes or less.
This can be viewed online here.
1 lb. fresh green beans, trimmed
1/2 large red onion, thinly sliced lengthwise
1 Tbs. garlic-flavored olive oil
1 tsp. lemon juice
1/4 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp. salt
1 pinch ground black pepper
Lemon slices, for garnish, optional
Hawaiian salt, black salt, or fleur de sel, for garnish, optional
Preheat oven to 425°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper, or coat with cooking spray.
Bring large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and red onion, and blanch 3 minutes. Drain, then pat vegetables dry with paper towels.
Whisk together oil, lemon juice, mustard, salt, and pepper in large bowl. Add beans and onion slices; toss to coat.
Group beans and onion slices into 8 bundles (about 10 to 15 beans each), and tie each bundle with 8-inch piece of kitchen twine. Place bundles tie side down on prepared baking sheet. Bake 7 to 10 minutes, or until bean ends begin to brown. Flip bundles with spatula so tie side is up, and bake 7 to 10 minutes more, or until all bean tips are brown. Transfer bundles to serving plate, and garnish with lemon slices and Hawaiian salt, if using.
nutritional information Per Bundle: Calories: 35; Protein: 1 g; Total Fat: 2 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 4 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 80 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 2 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
DIY CRANBERRY JUICE COCKTAIL
This recipe and the next (Cranberry-Pecan Salad) are from an article on healing foods, titled Cranberries by Maria Lissandrello in the November/December 2008 issue of Vegetarian Times. This one starts off, “One of the biggest complaints about bottled cranberry juice is the high sugar (and low cranberry) contest: a 1-cup serving contains more than 130 calories – beating out a sugary soft drink! For an easy homemade version that delivers a higher concentration of cranberry juice and a lot less sugar, follow these steps:
1 cup unsweetened cranberry juice
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbs. agave nectar
2-inch cinnamon stick
4 cups boiling water
Mix unsweetened cranberry juice with the agave nectar in a heatproof, 1-quart measuring cup.
Add the cinnamon stick to the mixture.
Stir in the boiling water. Cool, and enjoy.
CRANBERRY-PECAN SALAD
This starts off, “The antioxidant-packed vinaigrette for this salad is made with unsweetened cranberry juice rather than vinegar.” This vegan recipe serves 4 in 30 minutes or less.
Cranberry Vinaigrette
2 Tbs. unsweetened cranberry juice
1 Tbs. Dijon mustard
1 Tbs. canola oil
1 Tbs. walnut or hazelnut oil
1 small shallot, finely chopped (2 Tbs.)
Salad
4 cups arugula
2/3 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup chopped toasted pecans
To make Cranberry Vinaigrette: Whisk together cranberry juice and mustard in small bowl. Whisk in canola and walnut oils until smooth. Stir in shallot, and season with pepper.
To make Salad: Toss arugula, dried cranberries, and pecans with vinaigrette.
Per serving: 207 cal; 2 g prote; 14.5 g total fat (1 g saturated fat): 21 g carb; 0 mg cholesterol; 242 mg sodium; 2 g fiber; 14 g sugar.
CRANBERRY PIE
This recipe can be found in my e-cookbook Off the Wall Cooking, which is for sale on Amazon.com. (To buy a copy of it for your Kindle or tablet, click here.) My dad sent this recipe in a letter dated “18 No 79”. He wrote, “Here is a recipe for a pie. 1st the way it was in the paper and the way I made it.”
2 T cornstarch
1 C sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/4 C hot water
1 C raisins
1 T butter
2 C cranberries
Pie crust
Blend 1st four ingredients & cook in double boiler until thick. Add next 3 ingredients & cook 10 minutes. Put in pie shell & bake at 450 degrees for 20-30 minutes, covering pie with foil for the first 10-15 minutes. (Crust can be any kind you want, whether double crust or simply a bottom crust.)
VARIATION
2 Tbls cornstarch
3/4 C honey + 1/4 C molasses
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/4 C hot water
1 C raisins
1 T margarine
1 1/2 C cranberries + 1 C canned cranberries (kind with berries in sauce)
Pie crust
Make as above.
ROASTED SQUASH AND APPLE CHOWDER WITH COLORFUL POTATOES
This is from the October 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 76. It starts off, “Puréed roasted butternut squash provides the creamy base for a hearty chowder. If making the chowder ahead, prepare the recipe through step 3, then assemble and reheat just before serving.” Serves 8.
2 lb. butternut squash, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch chunks (6 cups), divided
3 medium apples, peeled and diced (3 cups), divided
2 large leeks, white parts cut into 1-inch chunks (1 cup), plus 1/2 cup thinly sliced leek greens, divided
1 Tbs. olive oil
1 Tbs. pure maple syrup
1 lb. multicolored potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch chunks
1/2 cup apple juice
1 Tbs. apple cider vinegar
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat baking sheet with cooking spray.
Combine 5 cups butternut squash chunks, 2 cups diced apple, leek whites, oil, and maple syrup in large bowl, and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Spread squash mixture in single layer on prepared baking sheet, and roast 30 minutes, or until tender, stirring occasionally.
Cook potato chunks and remaining 1 cup butternut squash in boiling, salted water 5 to 7 minutes, or until just tender. Drain, and set aside.
Purée roasted vegetables in blender until smooth. Add purée and apple juice to large soup pot with 4 cups water. Whisk in vinegar, and heat over medium heat. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Add boiled potatoes and squash, remaining 1 cup diced apple, and leek greens, and simmer 5 minutes, or until hot.
nutritional information Per 1 1/4-cup serving: Calories: 162; Protein: 3 g; Total Fat: 2 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 36 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 12 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 12 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
ENGINE 2 DIET VEGETARIAN LASAGNA
This was on a long-forgotten email list. But it comes originally from a cookbook titled The Engine 2 Diet: The Texas Firefighter's 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that Lowers Cholesterol and Burns Away the Pounds. Personally, I'm considering picking up a copy for myself. Check it out!
Ingredients:
1 onion, chopped
1 small head of garlic, all cloves chopped or pressed
8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
1 head broccoli, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 red bell peppers, seeded and chopped
1 can corn, rinsed and drained
1 package Silken Lite tofu
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon rosemary
2 jars pasta sauce
2 boxes whole grain lasagna noodles
16 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and drained
2 sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed
6 roma tomatoes, sliced thin
1 cup raw cashews, ground
Preparation:
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Sauté the onion and garlic on high heat for 3 minutes in a wok or nonstick pan. Add the mushrooms and cook until the onions are limp and the mushrooms give up their liquid. Remove them to a large bowl with a slotted spoon. Reserve the mushroom liquid in the pan. Sauté the broccoli and carrots for 5 minutes and add to the mushroom bowl. Sauté the peppers and corn until just beginning to soften. Add them to the vegetable bowl.
Drain the silken tofu11 by wrapping in paper towels. Break it up directly in the towel and mix into the vegetable bowl. Add spices to the vegetable bowl and combine.
To Assemble:
Cover the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch casserole with a layer of sauce. Add a layer of noodles. Cover the noodles with sauce. This way the noodles cook in the oven, saving time and energy. Spread the vegetable mixture over the sauced noodles. Cover with a layer of noodles and another dressing of sauce. Add the spinach to the second layer of sauced noodles. Cover the spinach with the mashed sweet potatoes. Add another layer of sauce, the final layer of noodles, and a last topping of sauce. Cover the lasagna with thinly sliced roma tomatoes.
Cover with foil and bake in the oven for 45 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle with the cashews, and return to the oven for 15 minutes. Let sit for 15 minutes before serving.
Makes 10 - 12 servings of sweet potato lasagna.
ROASTED GREEN BEAN BUNDLES
This recipe comes from the November 2012 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 58. It starts off, “These individual bundles of seasoned, roasted green beans will impress guests and make serving a cinch.” Serves 8 in 30 minutes or less.
This can be viewed online here.
1 lb. fresh green beans, trimmed
1/2 large red onion, thinly sliced lengthwise
1 Tbs. garlic-flavored olive oil
1 tsp. lemon juice
1/4 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp. salt
1 pinch ground black pepper
Lemon slices, for garnish, optional
Hawaiian salt, black salt, or fleur de sel, for garnish, optional
Preheat oven to 425°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper, or coat with cooking spray.
Bring large pot of salted water to a boil. Add green beans and red onion, and blanch 3 minutes. Drain, then pat vegetables dry with paper towels.
Whisk together oil, lemon juice, mustard, salt, and pepper in large bowl. Add beans and onion slices; toss to coat.
Group beans and onion slices into 8 bundles (about 10 to 15 beans each), and tie each bundle with 8-inch piece of kitchen twine. Place bundles tie side down on prepared baking sheet. Bake 7 to 10 minutes, or until bean ends begin to brown. Flip bundles with spatula so tie side is up, and bake 7 to 10 minutes more, or until all bean tips are brown. Transfer bundles to serving plate, and garnish with lemon slices and Hawaiian salt, if using.
nutritional information Per Bundle: Calories: 35; Protein: 1 g; Total Fat: 2 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 4 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 80 mg; Fiber: 2 g; Sugar: 2 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
DIY CRANBERRY JUICE COCKTAIL
This recipe and the next (Cranberry-Pecan Salad) are from an article on healing foods, titled Cranberries by Maria Lissandrello in the November/December 2008 issue of Vegetarian Times. This one starts off, “One of the biggest complaints about bottled cranberry juice is the high sugar (and low cranberry) contest: a 1-cup serving contains more than 130 calories – beating out a sugary soft drink! For an easy homemade version that delivers a higher concentration of cranberry juice and a lot less sugar, follow these steps:
1 cup unsweetened cranberry juice
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbs. agave nectar
2-inch cinnamon stick
4 cups boiling water
Mix unsweetened cranberry juice with the agave nectar in a heatproof, 1-quart measuring cup.
Add the cinnamon stick to the mixture.
Stir in the boiling water. Cool, and enjoy.
CRANBERRY-PECAN SALAD
This starts off, “The antioxidant-packed vinaigrette for this salad is made with unsweetened cranberry juice rather than vinegar.” This vegan recipe serves 4 in 30 minutes or less.
Cranberry Vinaigrette
2 Tbs. unsweetened cranberry juice
1 Tbs. Dijon mustard
1 Tbs. canola oil
1 Tbs. walnut or hazelnut oil
1 small shallot, finely chopped (2 Tbs.)
Salad
4 cups arugula
2/3 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup chopped toasted pecans
To make Cranberry Vinaigrette: Whisk together cranberry juice and mustard in small bowl. Whisk in canola and walnut oils until smooth. Stir in shallot, and season with pepper.
To make Salad: Toss arugula, dried cranberries, and pecans with vinaigrette.
Per serving: 207 cal; 2 g prote; 14.5 g total fat (1 g saturated fat): 21 g carb; 0 mg cholesterol; 242 mg sodium; 2 g fiber; 14 g sugar.
CRANBERRY PIE
This recipe can be found in my e-cookbook Off the Wall Cooking, which is for sale on Amazon.com. (To buy a copy of it for your Kindle or tablet, click here.) My dad sent this recipe in a letter dated “18 No 79”. He wrote, “Here is a recipe for a pie. 1st the way it was in the paper and the way I made it.”
2 T cornstarch
1 C sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/4 C hot water
1 C raisins
1 T butter
2 C cranberries
Pie crust
Blend 1st four ingredients & cook in double boiler until thick. Add next 3 ingredients & cook 10 minutes. Put in pie shell & bake at 450 degrees for 20-30 minutes, covering pie with foil for the first 10-15 minutes. (Crust can be any kind you want, whether double crust or simply a bottom crust.)
VARIATION
2 Tbls cornstarch
3/4 C honey + 1/4 C molasses
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/4 C hot water
1 C raisins
1 T margarine
1 1/2 C cranberries + 1 C canned cranberries (kind with berries in sauce)
Pie crust
Make as above.
ROASTED SQUASH AND APPLE CHOWDER WITH COLORFUL POTATOES
This is from the October 2013 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 76. It starts off, “Puréed roasted butternut squash provides the creamy base for a hearty chowder. If making the chowder ahead, prepare the recipe through step 3, then assemble and reheat just before serving.” Serves 8.
2 lb. butternut squash, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch chunks (6 cups), divided
3 medium apples, peeled and diced (3 cups), divided
2 large leeks, white parts cut into 1-inch chunks (1 cup), plus 1/2 cup thinly sliced leek greens, divided
1 Tbs. olive oil
1 Tbs. pure maple syrup
1 lb. multicolored potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch chunks
1/2 cup apple juice
1 Tbs. apple cider vinegar
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat baking sheet with cooking spray.
Combine 5 cups butternut squash chunks, 2 cups diced apple, leek whites, oil, and maple syrup in large bowl, and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Spread squash mixture in single layer on prepared baking sheet, and roast 30 minutes, or until tender, stirring occasionally.
Cook potato chunks and remaining 1 cup butternut squash in boiling, salted water 5 to 7 minutes, or until just tender. Drain, and set aside.
Purée roasted vegetables in blender until smooth. Add purée and apple juice to large soup pot with 4 cups water. Whisk in vinegar, and heat over medium heat. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Add boiled potatoes and squash, remaining 1 cup diced apple, and leek greens, and simmer 5 minutes, or until hot.
nutritional information Per 1 1/4-cup serving: Calories: 162; Protein: 3 g; Total Fat: 2 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 36 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 12 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Sugar: 12 g; Vegan; Gluten-Free
ENGINE 2 DIET VEGETARIAN LASAGNA
This was on a long-forgotten email list. But it comes originally from a cookbook titled The Engine 2 Diet: The Texas Firefighter's 28-Day Save-Your-Life Plan that Lowers Cholesterol and Burns Away the Pounds. Personally, I'm considering picking up a copy for myself. Check it out!
Ingredients:
1 onion, chopped
1 small head of garlic, all cloves chopped or pressed
8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
1 head broccoli, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 red bell peppers, seeded and chopped
1 can corn, rinsed and drained
1 package Silken Lite tofu
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon rosemary
2 jars pasta sauce
2 boxes whole grain lasagna noodles
16 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and drained
2 sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed
6 roma tomatoes, sliced thin
1 cup raw cashews, ground
Preparation:
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Sauté the onion and garlic on high heat for 3 minutes in a wok or nonstick pan. Add the mushrooms and cook until the onions are limp and the mushrooms give up their liquid. Remove them to a large bowl with a slotted spoon. Reserve the mushroom liquid in the pan. Sauté the broccoli and carrots for 5 minutes and add to the mushroom bowl. Sauté the peppers and corn until just beginning to soften. Add them to the vegetable bowl.
Drain the silken tofu11 by wrapping in paper towels. Break it up directly in the towel and mix into the vegetable bowl. Add spices to the vegetable bowl and combine.
To Assemble:
Cover the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch casserole with a layer of sauce. Add a layer of noodles. Cover the noodles with sauce. This way the noodles cook in the oven, saving time and energy. Spread the vegetable mixture over the sauced noodles. Cover with a layer of noodles and another dressing of sauce. Add the spinach to the second layer of sauced noodles. Cover the spinach with the mashed sweet potatoes. Add another layer of sauce, the final layer of noodles, and a last topping of sauce. Cover the lasagna with thinly sliced roma tomatoes.
Cover with foil and bake in the oven for 45 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle with the cashews, and return to the oven for 15 minutes. Let sit for 15 minutes before serving.
Makes 10 - 12 servings of sweet potato lasagna.
Friday, December 11, 2015
Cookies!
I meant to post this this morning, to go with the cookies in my Diabetic Delights blog, as well as the cookie post in my Vegetarian Delights blog. So...just figure on it as an extra bonus for those who feel inclined to bake over the weekend. Enjoy!
CARDAMOM BUTTER CRESCENTS
This comes from Melissa Clark in The New York Times' Cooking e-newsletter. I highly recommend this newsletter! Melissa writes, “The egg whites in the batter keep these buttery shortbread-like cookies crumbly and light (and provide a place for all those spare egg whites you accumulate during holiday baking). The cardamom flavor is pronounced, so use the freshest cardamom you can find. These are also perfect for gift-giving, since they’ll keep practically forever, or at least 3 weeks stored airtight at room temperature.” Time: 1 hour; makes 5 dozen cookies.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
2 teaspoons ground cardamom
1 teaspoon kosher salt
14 ounces unsalted butter (3 1/2 sticks), at room temperature
1 1/4 cups confectioners’ sugar, plus more for dusting
2 large egg whites
1/4 cup sliced almonds
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, add the flour, cardamom and salt, and whisk to combine.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar on low speed until just combined. Add egg whites, beat until just combined, then add flour mixture and mix until just combined.
Divide dough into 8 equal pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll one piece out into a log 3/4-inch thick. Using a bench scraper or sharp knife, cut 3-inch pieces off the log. Working with one 3-inch piece at a time, gently roll both ends so they taper slightly, then form into a crescent. Transfer to prepared baking sheet; repeat with remaining dough, placing the crescents 1-inch apart.
Gently press 1 almond slice into each cookie. Bake until light golden brown, 10 to 14 minutes. Cool, then dust with confectioners’ sugar.
GLUTEN-FREE PEANUT-BUTTER CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES
This comes from The Food Network, and begins, “These gluten- and dairy-free cookies are super easy to make. And since there is no flour or butter to compete with, the peanut butter flavor is intense! Peanut butter purists, go ahead and make these without the chocolate.” Total Time: 1 hr 5 min; Prep: 20 min; Inactive: 30 min; Cook: 15 min.
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/gluten-free-peanut-butter-chocolate-chunk-cookies.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
1 cup chunky peanut butter
2/3 cup granulated sugar, plus more for rolling
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 large egg
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
Directions
Position oven racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Beat the peanut butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and salt with an electric mixer on medium-high speed in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in the vanilla and egg. Fold in the chocolate.
Put some granulated sugar in a small bowl. Scoop tablespoonfuls of the cookie dough, roll them into balls and roll each ball in the sugar to coat. Evenly space them on the prepared baking sheets. Press each ball down with a fork to flatten it out and make an indentation.
Bake until the bottoms are golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to a rack to cool completely. The cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
GRANDMA'S PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
This was one of my grandmother's recipes, along with the oatmeal cookie recipe that follows. You can find them in my e-cookbook, Off The Wall Cooking.
1/2 C butter
1/2 C peanut butter
1/2 C sugar
1 egg, well beaten
1 1/4 C flour
3/4 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
Cream butter & peanut butter together. Add sugar gradually & cream thoroughly. Add egg. Sift flour once before measuring. Sift flour, soda, baking powder & salt together & add to creamed mixture. Chill dough well, then form into balls the size of walnuts. Place balls on lightly greased baking sheet. Flatten with fork dipped in flour, making criss-cross pattern. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
GRANDMA'S OATMEAL COOKIES
Another one of my grandmother's recipes. When it came to baking, cookies were her specialty. You can also find these in my e-cookbook, Off the Wall Cooking.
Note: When you go to melt the butter, keep an eye on this. I was making a double batch of oatmeal cookies and had set the pan with 4 sticks of butter in it on the next-to-lowest setting on the stove, since I was juggling several things at once. At one point, I noticed that the butter was just about completely melted and, rather than turn off the stove (the smart move), I turned my back for a split second. That's when the butter exploded all over the stove...counter top...floor. What a mess! So, be forewarned...
1 C flour
1 C brown sugar
3 C quick cooking oatmeal (NOT the instant oats!)
1 C butter or margarine
1/4 C boiling water
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
Mix flour & brown sugar. Add oatmeal; stir. Melt butter; add to dry ingredients. Mix baking soda into boiling water; add to other ingredients, stirring well. Place batter into loaf pan, lined with aluminum foil & place in freeze for several hours. Slice & bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.
Oatmeal Cookie dough, taken from the freezer; showing first cuts before baking
Then cut down the center, like so:
Placed on parchment paper-covered baking sheet, for easier handling
CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
This comes from David Leite in The New York Times' cooking newsletter. David writes, “You may have memorized the foolproof gem on the back of the Toll House bag, given to the world by Ruth Graves Wakefield in the 1930s. But this may become your new favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe. It’s a little more complicated, and you’ll have to plan ahead: after assembling the dough, you must chill it for at least 24 hours before baking it, and preferably up to 36. This allows the dry ingredients time to soak up the wet ones, which results in a firmer dough. It leads to a marvelously chewy, chocolate-rich cookie. Don’t skimp on good chocolate, and the sea salt is not an option -- it’s the beacon at the top of this gorgeous treat.” Makes 1 1/ 2 dozen 5-inch cookies.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 cups minus 2 tablespoons (8 1/2 ounces) cake flour
1 2/3 cups (8 1/2 ounces) bread flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
2 1/2 sticks (1 1/4 cups) unsalted butter
1 1/4 cups (10 ounces) light brown sugar
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (8 ounces) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons natural vanilla extract
1 1/4 pounds bittersweet chocolate disks or fèves, at least 60 percent cacao content (see note)
Sea salt
Preparation
Sift flours, baking soda, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Set aside.
Using a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars together until very light, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla. Reduce speed to low, add dry ingredients and mix until just combined, 5 to 10 seconds. Drop chocolate pieces in and incorporate them without breaking them. Press plastic wrap against dough and refrigerate for 24 to 36 hours. Dough may be used in batches, and can be refrigerated for up to 72 hours.
When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat. Set aside.
Scoop 6 3 1/2-ounce mounds of dough (the size of generous golf balls) onto baking sheet, making sure to turn horizontally any chocolate pieces that are poking up; it will make for a more attractive cookie. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and bake until golden brown but still soft, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer sheet to a wire rack for 10 minutes, then slip cookies onto another rack to cool a bit more. Repeat with remaining dough, or reserve dough, refrigerated, for baking remaining batches the next day. Eat warm, with a big napkin.
Note: Disks are sold at Jacques Torres Chocolate; Valrhona fèves, oval-shaped chocolate pieces, are at Whole Foods.
PUMPKIN COOKIES WITH CREAM CHEESE FILLING
This comes from Diana Rattray, About.com's Southern Food expert. She writes, “If you're pressed for time, use purchased cream cheese frosting in place of the cream cheese filling.
“The pumpkin drop cookies are easy to prepare and bake, and the cream cheese icing makes the perfect filling.” Prep Time: 12 minutes; Cook Time: 12 minutes; Total Time: 24 minutes; Yield: Makes about 20 cookies
To view online, click here.
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Dash nutmeg
4 ounces butter, softened
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup whole milk
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
Filling:
6 tablespoons butter, softened
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar
Preparation
Line baking sheet with a silicone mat or buttered parchment paper. Heat oven to 350°.
In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
In a large mixing bowl with electric mixer, beat 4 ounces butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 1 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla until well blended. Slowly beat in the milk and pumpkin, then add dry ingredients, beating just until blended.
With a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until bottoms are lightly browned and tops are firm. Cool for about 5 minutes on the baking sheet then loosen the bottoms with a spatula and let them cool completely.
Combine the filling ingredients in a bowl with an electric mixer. Beat well until the filling is smooth. Frost the bottom of a cookie, then press the bottom of another cookie on the filling to make a sandwich. Repeat with remaining cookies. Makes about 18 to 20 filled cookies.
CARDAMOM BUTTER CRESCENTS
This comes from Melissa Clark in The New York Times' Cooking e-newsletter. I highly recommend this newsletter! Melissa writes, “The egg whites in the batter keep these buttery shortbread-like cookies crumbly and light (and provide a place for all those spare egg whites you accumulate during holiday baking). The cardamom flavor is pronounced, so use the freshest cardamom you can find. These are also perfect for gift-giving, since they’ll keep practically forever, or at least 3 weeks stored airtight at room temperature.” Time: 1 hour; makes 5 dozen cookies.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
2 teaspoons ground cardamom
1 teaspoon kosher salt
14 ounces unsalted butter (3 1/2 sticks), at room temperature
1 1/4 cups confectioners’ sugar, plus more for dusting
2 large egg whites
1/4 cup sliced almonds
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, add the flour, cardamom and salt, and whisk to combine.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar on low speed until just combined. Add egg whites, beat until just combined, then add flour mixture and mix until just combined.
Divide dough into 8 equal pieces. On a lightly floured surface, roll one piece out into a log 3/4-inch thick. Using a bench scraper or sharp knife, cut 3-inch pieces off the log. Working with one 3-inch piece at a time, gently roll both ends so they taper slightly, then form into a crescent. Transfer to prepared baking sheet; repeat with remaining dough, placing the crescents 1-inch apart.
Gently press 1 almond slice into each cookie. Bake until light golden brown, 10 to 14 minutes. Cool, then dust with confectioners’ sugar.
GLUTEN-FREE PEANUT-BUTTER CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES
This comes from The Food Network, and begins, “These gluten- and dairy-free cookies are super easy to make. And since there is no flour or butter to compete with, the peanut butter flavor is intense! Peanut butter purists, go ahead and make these without the chocolate.” Total Time: 1 hr 5 min; Prep: 20 min; Inactive: 30 min; Cook: 15 min.
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/gluten-free-peanut-butter-chocolate-chunk-cookies.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
1 cup chunky peanut butter
2/3 cup granulated sugar, plus more for rolling
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 large egg
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
Directions
Position oven racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Beat the peanut butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and salt with an electric mixer on medium-high speed in a large bowl until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Beat in the vanilla and egg. Fold in the chocolate.
Put some granulated sugar in a small bowl. Scoop tablespoonfuls of the cookie dough, roll them into balls and roll each ball in the sugar to coat. Evenly space them on the prepared baking sheets. Press each ball down with a fork to flatten it out and make an indentation.
Bake until the bottoms are golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Let the cookies cool for a few minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to a rack to cool completely. The cookies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
GRANDMA'S PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES
This was one of my grandmother's recipes, along with the oatmeal cookie recipe that follows. You can find them in my e-cookbook, Off The Wall Cooking.
1/2 C butter
1/2 C peanut butter
1/2 C sugar
1 egg, well beaten
1 1/4 C flour
3/4 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
Cream butter & peanut butter together. Add sugar gradually & cream thoroughly. Add egg. Sift flour once before measuring. Sift flour, soda, baking powder & salt together & add to creamed mixture. Chill dough well, then form into balls the size of walnuts. Place balls on lightly greased baking sheet. Flatten with fork dipped in flour, making criss-cross pattern. Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes.
GRANDMA'S OATMEAL COOKIES
Another one of my grandmother's recipes. When it came to baking, cookies were her specialty. You can also find these in my e-cookbook, Off the Wall Cooking.
Note: When you go to melt the butter, keep an eye on this. I was making a double batch of oatmeal cookies and had set the pan with 4 sticks of butter in it on the next-to-lowest setting on the stove, since I was juggling several things at once. At one point, I noticed that the butter was just about completely melted and, rather than turn off the stove (the smart move), I turned my back for a split second. That's when the butter exploded all over the stove...counter top...floor. What a mess! So, be forewarned...
1 C flour
1 C brown sugar
3 C quick cooking oatmeal (NOT the instant oats!)
1 C butter or margarine
1/4 C boiling water
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
Mix flour & brown sugar. Add oatmeal; stir. Melt butter; add to dry ingredients. Mix baking soda into boiling water; add to other ingredients, stirring well. Place batter into loaf pan, lined with aluminum foil & place in freeze for several hours. Slice & bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes.
Oatmeal Cookie dough, taken from the freezer; showing first cuts before baking
Then cut down the center, like so:
Placed on parchment paper-covered baking sheet, for easier handling
CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
This comes from David Leite in The New York Times' cooking newsletter. David writes, “You may have memorized the foolproof gem on the back of the Toll House bag, given to the world by Ruth Graves Wakefield in the 1930s. But this may become your new favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe. It’s a little more complicated, and you’ll have to plan ahead: after assembling the dough, you must chill it for at least 24 hours before baking it, and preferably up to 36. This allows the dry ingredients time to soak up the wet ones, which results in a firmer dough. It leads to a marvelously chewy, chocolate-rich cookie. Don’t skimp on good chocolate, and the sea salt is not an option -- it’s the beacon at the top of this gorgeous treat.” Makes 1 1/ 2 dozen 5-inch cookies.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
2 cups minus 2 tablespoons (8 1/2 ounces) cake flour
1 2/3 cups (8 1/2 ounces) bread flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
2 1/2 sticks (1 1/4 cups) unsalted butter
1 1/4 cups (10 ounces) light brown sugar
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (8 ounces) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons natural vanilla extract
1 1/4 pounds bittersweet chocolate disks or fèves, at least 60 percent cacao content (see note)
Sea salt
Preparation
Sift flours, baking soda, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Set aside.
Using a mixer fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars together until very light, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla. Reduce speed to low, add dry ingredients and mix until just combined, 5 to 10 seconds. Drop chocolate pieces in and incorporate them without breaking them. Press plastic wrap against dough and refrigerate for 24 to 36 hours. Dough may be used in batches, and can be refrigerated for up to 72 hours.
When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat. Set aside.
Scoop 6 3 1/2-ounce mounds of dough (the size of generous golf balls) onto baking sheet, making sure to turn horizontally any chocolate pieces that are poking up; it will make for a more attractive cookie. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and bake until golden brown but still soft, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer sheet to a wire rack for 10 minutes, then slip cookies onto another rack to cool a bit more. Repeat with remaining dough, or reserve dough, refrigerated, for baking remaining batches the next day. Eat warm, with a big napkin.
Note: Disks are sold at Jacques Torres Chocolate; Valrhona fèves, oval-shaped chocolate pieces, are at Whole Foods.
PUMPKIN COOKIES WITH CREAM CHEESE FILLING
This comes from Diana Rattray, About.com's Southern Food expert. She writes, “If you're pressed for time, use purchased cream cheese frosting in place of the cream cheese filling.
“The pumpkin drop cookies are easy to prepare and bake, and the cream cheese icing makes the perfect filling.” Prep Time: 12 minutes; Cook Time: 12 minutes; Total Time: 24 minutes; Yield: Makes about 20 cookies
To view online, click here.
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Dash nutmeg
4 ounces butter, softened
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup whole milk
3/4 cup canned pumpkin
Filling:
6 tablespoons butter, softened
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar
Preparation
Line baking sheet with a silicone mat or buttered parchment paper. Heat oven to 350°.
In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
In a large mixing bowl with electric mixer, beat 4 ounces butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, and 1 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla until well blended. Slowly beat in the milk and pumpkin, then add dry ingredients, beating just until blended.
With a tablespoon or cookie scoop, drop onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 12 to 14 minutes, or until bottoms are lightly browned and tops are firm. Cool for about 5 minutes on the baking sheet then loosen the bottoms with a spatula and let them cool completely.
Combine the filling ingredients in a bowl with an electric mixer. Beat well until the filling is smooth. Frost the bottom of a cookie, then press the bottom of another cookie on the filling to make a sandwich. Repeat with remaining cookies. Makes about 18 to 20 filled cookies.
Friday Recipes
Finally, the weekend. Here are six recipes to try over the weekend. Enjoy!
LENTIL VEGETABLE SOUP
This comes from Ina Garten of The Food Network's Barefoot Contessa. Total Time: 2 hr 5 min; Prep: 20 min; Inactive: 15 min; Cook: 1 hr 30 min; Yield: 8 to 10 servings; Level: Easy
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/lentil-vegetable-soup-recipe.print.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
1 pound French green lentils
4 cups chopped yellow onions (3 large onions)
4 cups chopped leeks, white part only (2 leeks)
1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
1/4 cup good olive oil, plus additional for drizzling on top
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried
1 teaspoon ground cumin
3 cups medium-diced celery (8 stalks)
3 cups medium-diced carrots (4 to 6 carrots)
3 quarts chicken stock
1/4 cup tomato paste
2 tablespoons red wine or red wine vinegar
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
In a large bowl, cover the lentils with boiling water and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Drain.
In a large stockpot on medium heat, saute the onions, leeks, and garlic with the olive oil, salt, pepper, thyme, and cumin for 20 minutes, until the vegetables are translucent and very tender. Add the celery and carrots and saute for 10 more minutes. Add the chicken stock, tomato paste, and lentils. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 1 hour, until the lentils are cooked through. Check the seasonings. Add the red wine and serve hot, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with grated Parmesan.
CHOCOLATE COCONUT CAKE
This comes from Melissa Clark in The New York Times' Cooking e-newsletter. Melissa writes, “The fine, feathery crumb of this dessert, which is on the lighter side of chocolate cakes, is balanced by a slather of glossy, fudgy frosting. A topping of shredded coconut provides additional richness and texture. Make it the day before serving; its flavor only improves overnight.” Time: 1 1/4 hours, plus cooling; makes one 10-inch torte, 8 to 10 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
7 ounces unsalted butter (1 3/4 sticks), plus more for the pan
5 1/4 ounces chopped dark chocolate (at least 60 percent)
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon unsweetened shredded coconut
4 large eggs, whites and yolks separated
1 cup superfine sugar
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream
For the Frosting:
7 ounces/200 grams chopped dark chocolate (at least 60 percent)
1/2 ounce unsalted butter (1 tablespoon)
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees, and bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Butter a 10-inch springform pan.
Make the cake: In a metal bowl, combine the butter and chocolate; place the bowl over (not in) the pot of simmering water. Melt the chocolate, stirring occasionally, then remove from heat to cool slightly. (Alternatively, melt the chocolate and butter in the microwave on a low setting.)
Into a medium bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, cocoa powder and salt. Add the shredded coconut and stir to combine.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the egg yolks and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add the cooled chocolate mixture, mix to combine. Alternating, fold the flour mixture and the cream into the batter.
In the clean bowl of an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until stiff, then fold gently into the batter. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of cake emerges clean, about 50 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
Make the frosting: In a medium heatproof bowl, melt the chocolate over a pot of simmering water (or you can do this in a microwave on a low setting). Remove from heat and stir in the butter. Cool slightly, until the chocolate thickens somewhat, then spread the frosting over the cake. Sprinkle coconut on top; let set, then serve.
SEPHARDIC CHALLAH WITH WHOLE SPICES
This comes from Julia Moskin in the The New York Times' Cooking e-newsletter. Julia writes, “Challah is tremendously popular in the United States, among Jews and non-Jews alike. But it doesn’t say anywhere in Jewish scripture that challah is a braided, sweet, eggy, deliciously squishy bread of the kind familiar to most Americans; that loaf is Ashkenazi, from Eastern European Jews. The Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews from North Africa and the Middle East, have their own distinct traditional loaves. Here, use the raisins, eggs and full amount of honey to make a richer, festive Sephardic loaf that is delicious by itself; leave them out for a lean, savory Mizrahi bread that goes beautifully with Moroccan tagines and Middle Eastern mezes, salads and dips.” Time: 4 to 5 hours; makes 2 round loaves.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1/2 cup raisins, dark or golden or a combination (optional)
4 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 tablespoon caraway or coriander seeds
1 tablespoon anise, cumin or poppy seeds
1 envelope active dry yeast
5 cups bread flour, more for dusting work surface
2 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, more for oiling bowl and pans
2 to 4 tablespoons honey (depending on how sweet you like your challah)
2 eggs, at room temperature (optional)
1 tablespoon/16 grams kosher salt
Cornmeal, for dusting
2 egg yolks
Preparation
If using, cover raisins in 2 cups warm water and let plump for 30 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
In a skillet, toast 1 tablespoon sesame, the caraway and the anise or other seeds over moderate heat until fragrant, 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate and let cool.
In a small bowl, combine yeast with 2 tablespoons warm water (you can use the soaking water from the raisins if handy). Let stand until thoroughly moistened, about 5 minutes.
In the bowl of a standing electric mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine flour with olive oil, honey, eggs (if using) and warm water (3/4 cup if using eggs; 1 1/2 cups if not).
Mix at low speed until a very soft dough forms. If it is stiff, add warm water a tablespoon at a time. Add salt, yeast mixture and toasted seeds and mix at medium-low speed until the dough is supple and smooth, 10 minutes. Mix in raisins. Using oiled hands, transfer the dough to a large oiled bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let stand in a draft-free spot until the dough is doubled in size, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Lightly oil 2 small cookie sheets and dust them with cornmeal. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and press to deflate. Cut the dough in half and let rest for 5 minutes. Roll each piece into an 18-inch-long rope and let rest for 5 minutes longer, then roll each rope into a 32-inch rope. Take 1 of the ropes and, starting from 1 end, form the dough into a coil; tuck the ends under the completed coil. Repeat with the remaining rope.
Transfer each coil to a baking sheet and cover each loaf with a large inverted bowl. Let stand for 1 hour, until the loaves have nearly doubled in bulk. (The risen loaves can be frozen, wrapped, for up to 2 weeks; top and bake just before serving.)
Heat oven to 400 degrees. In a bowl, whisk egg yolks with 1 tablespoon water. Brush the egg wash over the loaves and let stand uncovered for 30 minutes. Brush with the egg wash once more and sprinkle with the reserved sesame seeds. Bake the loaves side-by-side in the center of the oven for 30 minutes, until they're golden and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. Transfer the loaves to racks and let cool before serving or slicing.
RASPBERRY ROSE RUGELACH
This also comes from Melissa Clark in the same New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. (This is from Chicago's HotChocolate restaurant.) Melissa writes, “With its garnet-hued raspberry jam filling and fragrant rose sugar topping, this rugelach is a vivid departure from more traditional incarnations. It also uses two different kinds of salt, which provide forthright seasoning and a bare hint of crunch. You can make them up to 5 days ahead, if stored in an airtight container.” Time: 4 hours; makes 4 dozen rugelach
To view this yummy recipe online, click here.
Ingredients
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons rose water
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon flaky sea salt
8 ounces unsalted butter (2 sticks), at room temperature
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Nonstick spray
1 1/2 cups raspberry jam
1 large egg white, lightly beaten
Preparation
In a medium bowl, combine 1/2 cup sugar and the rose water. Rub together, then leave uncovered to dry, at least 2 hours. When dry, rub between fingers or use a mortar and pestle to break up any large chunks. (Rose sugar can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored airtight at room temperature.)
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together flour, kosher salt and sea salt.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter on medium speed for 5 to 10 seconds. Beat in cream cheese. Beat in remaining 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl, then beat in vanilla.
With mixer on low speed, beat in flour mixture until dough comes together but still looks shaggy, about 30 seconds.
Dump dough and crumbs onto the counter and use your hands or a plastic bench scraper to bring dough together into a mass. Divide dough in half, wrap in plastic wrap and pat into rectangles. Chill at least 2 hours and up to 1 week.
Lightly dust an 11-by-17-inch piece of parchment paper with flour. Place 1 dough rectangle onto the parchment, dust with flour, cover with another piece of parchment, and roll dough out into a rectangle, leaving a 1-inch border between edge of parchment and dough. If dough sticks, peel back parchment, dust with more flour, replace parchment. Repeat with second dough half, then chill for 30 minutes.
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper and lightly coat with nonstick spray.
Working with one sheet at a time, move rolled-out dough to work surface. Peel one layer of parchment off to unstick it from the dough, replace it lightly on top of the dough, then flip and peel other side off. Spread 3/4 cup jam in a thin, even layer on dough. Using a fluted dough cutter (or a sharp paring knife), trim edges and divide dough in half lengthwise into two long strips. Working with one strip at a time and moving crosswise, cut diagonal lines to form triangles with flat tips, with each base about 2 inches wide and each tip about 1/4 inch wide. There should be about 12 triangles per strip.
Using an offset spatula, separate a triangle away from rest of dough. Starting from the wide base, roll dough up and place tip-side down on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining triangles, spacing them 1 inch apart.
Brush tops of rugelach with egg white and sprinkle with rose sugar. Bake, rotating pans halfway through, until golden, 22 to 28 minutes. Cool on sheet pans for 2 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
CREAMY PASTA WITH BROCCOLI, PARMESAN CHEESE, AND HAM
This comes from Diana Rattray, About.com's Southern Food expert. Diana writes, “This pasta is a snap to prepare. Cook the pasta, quickly steam the broccoli, and stir-fry the ham and garlic for a few minutes. The simple sauce is made with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. For a gluten-free diet, serve the dish with gluten-free pasta.
“Leave out the ham and this could easily become a vegetarian dish.” Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes; Yield: 4 Servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
8 ounces pasta (penne, elbows, shells, or similar)
3 cups broccoli florets, roughly chopped, about 1 medium broccoli crown
3 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 to 2 cups diced ham, about 8 ounces
1 large clove garlic, finely minced
2 to 3 teaspoons chopped fresh basil or about 1/2 teaspoon dried leaf basil
3/4 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup fresh grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (Parmesan) cheese
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Preparation
Cook the pasta in a pot of boiling salted water following the package directions. Drain in a colander.
Meanwhile, put the broccoli pieces in a steaming basket. Bring about an inch of water to a boil in a medium to large saucepan. Put the steaming basket in the pan (above the water, so the broccoli doesn't sit in the water). Cover the pan and steam the broccoli for about 4 minutes, or until the florets are just barely tender.
In a skillet or saute pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the ham and cook, stirring, until browned. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the basil, cream, and Parmesan cheese. Bring to a simmer over low heat and continue cooking for about 1 minute.
Taste and add salt and pepper, as needed. Combine with the drained pasta and toss. Heat through.
Transfer the pasta mixture to a serving bowl and toss again at the table just before serving.
Serve with extra Parmesan cheese, a tossed salad or Caesar Salad, along with crusty rolls or bread.
Variations
Replace the ham with diced Canadian bacon or about 6 to 8 strips of cooked diced bacon.
Replace the broccoli with steamed or microwaved frozen peas.
CHOCOLATE-ORANGE MAPLE SNAPS
This comes from the March 2015 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 71. It begins, “These snaps are great on their own, or as wafers for sandwich cookies. Maple syrup lends flavor and moisture, which lets you cut down on oil in the dough.” Makes 40 cookies in 30 minutes or less.
To view this online, click here.
3/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup canola oil
1 Tbs. cornstarch dissolved in 1 Tbs. water
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 Tbs. grated orange zest
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
3 Tbs. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat three baking sheets with cooking spray.
Whisk together maple syrup, oil, cornstarch mixture, vanilla, and orange zest in large bowl.
Sift together flours, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk dry ingredients into wet ingredients until smooth.
Measure out cookie dough in 1-tsp. scoops, and arrange 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, or until cookies are firm on top and edges have darkened.
nutritional information Per Cookie: Calories: 42; Protein: less than 1 g; Total Fat: 2 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 7 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 30 mg; Fiber: less than 1 g; Sugar: 4 g; Vegan
LENTIL VEGETABLE SOUP
This comes from Ina Garten of The Food Network's Barefoot Contessa. Total Time: 2 hr 5 min; Prep: 20 min; Inactive: 15 min; Cook: 1 hr 30 min; Yield: 8 to 10 servings; Level: Easy
Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/lentil-vegetable-soup-recipe.print.html?oc=linkback
Ingredients
1 pound French green lentils
4 cups chopped yellow onions (3 large onions)
4 cups chopped leeks, white part only (2 leeks)
1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
1/4 cup good olive oil, plus additional for drizzling on top
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried
1 teaspoon ground cumin
3 cups medium-diced celery (8 stalks)
3 cups medium-diced carrots (4 to 6 carrots)
3 quarts chicken stock
1/4 cup tomato paste
2 tablespoons red wine or red wine vinegar
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
In a large bowl, cover the lentils with boiling water and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Drain.
In a large stockpot on medium heat, saute the onions, leeks, and garlic with the olive oil, salt, pepper, thyme, and cumin for 20 minutes, until the vegetables are translucent and very tender. Add the celery and carrots and saute for 10 more minutes. Add the chicken stock, tomato paste, and lentils. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 1 hour, until the lentils are cooked through. Check the seasonings. Add the red wine and serve hot, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with grated Parmesan.
CHOCOLATE COCONUT CAKE
This comes from Melissa Clark in The New York Times' Cooking e-newsletter. Melissa writes, “The fine, feathery crumb of this dessert, which is on the lighter side of chocolate cakes, is balanced by a slather of glossy, fudgy frosting. A topping of shredded coconut provides additional richness and texture. Make it the day before serving; its flavor only improves overnight.” Time: 1 1/4 hours, plus cooling; makes one 10-inch torte, 8 to 10 servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
7 ounces unsalted butter (1 3/4 sticks), plus more for the pan
5 1/4 ounces chopped dark chocolate (at least 60 percent)
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon unsweetened shredded coconut
4 large eggs, whites and yolks separated
1 cup superfine sugar
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream
For the Frosting:
7 ounces/200 grams chopped dark chocolate (at least 60 percent)
1/2 ounce unsalted butter (1 tablespoon)
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees, and bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Butter a 10-inch springform pan.
Make the cake: In a metal bowl, combine the butter and chocolate; place the bowl over (not in) the pot of simmering water. Melt the chocolate, stirring occasionally, then remove from heat to cool slightly. (Alternatively, melt the chocolate and butter in the microwave on a low setting.)
Into a medium bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, cocoa powder and salt. Add the shredded coconut and stir to combine.
In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the egg yolks and sugar until pale and fluffy. Add the cooled chocolate mixture, mix to combine. Alternating, fold the flour mixture and the cream into the batter.
In the clean bowl of an electric mixer, beat the egg whites until stiff, then fold gently into the batter. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of cake emerges clean, about 50 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
Make the frosting: In a medium heatproof bowl, melt the chocolate over a pot of simmering water (or you can do this in a microwave on a low setting). Remove from heat and stir in the butter. Cool slightly, until the chocolate thickens somewhat, then spread the frosting over the cake. Sprinkle coconut on top; let set, then serve.
SEPHARDIC CHALLAH WITH WHOLE SPICES
This comes from Julia Moskin in the The New York Times' Cooking e-newsletter. Julia writes, “Challah is tremendously popular in the United States, among Jews and non-Jews alike. But it doesn’t say anywhere in Jewish scripture that challah is a braided, sweet, eggy, deliciously squishy bread of the kind familiar to most Americans; that loaf is Ashkenazi, from Eastern European Jews. The Sephardic and Mizrahi Jews from North Africa and the Middle East, have their own distinct traditional loaves. Here, use the raisins, eggs and full amount of honey to make a richer, festive Sephardic loaf that is delicious by itself; leave them out for a lean, savory Mizrahi bread that goes beautifully with Moroccan tagines and Middle Eastern mezes, salads and dips.” Time: 4 to 5 hours; makes 2 round loaves.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1/2 cup raisins, dark or golden or a combination (optional)
4 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 tablespoon caraway or coriander seeds
1 tablespoon anise, cumin or poppy seeds
1 envelope active dry yeast
5 cups bread flour, more for dusting work surface
2 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, more for oiling bowl and pans
2 to 4 tablespoons honey (depending on how sweet you like your challah)
2 eggs, at room temperature (optional)
1 tablespoon/16 grams kosher salt
Cornmeal, for dusting
2 egg yolks
Preparation
If using, cover raisins in 2 cups warm water and let plump for 30 minutes. Drain well and set aside.
In a skillet, toast 1 tablespoon sesame, the caraway and the anise or other seeds over moderate heat until fragrant, 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate and let cool.
In a small bowl, combine yeast with 2 tablespoons warm water (you can use the soaking water from the raisins if handy). Let stand until thoroughly moistened, about 5 minutes.
In the bowl of a standing electric mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine flour with olive oil, honey, eggs (if using) and warm water (3/4 cup if using eggs; 1 1/2 cups if not).
Mix at low speed until a very soft dough forms. If it is stiff, add warm water a tablespoon at a time. Add salt, yeast mixture and toasted seeds and mix at medium-low speed until the dough is supple and smooth, 10 minutes. Mix in raisins. Using oiled hands, transfer the dough to a large oiled bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let stand in a draft-free spot until the dough is doubled in size, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Lightly oil 2 small cookie sheets and dust them with cornmeal. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and press to deflate. Cut the dough in half and let rest for 5 minutes. Roll each piece into an 18-inch-long rope and let rest for 5 minutes longer, then roll each rope into a 32-inch rope. Take 1 of the ropes and, starting from 1 end, form the dough into a coil; tuck the ends under the completed coil. Repeat with the remaining rope.
Transfer each coil to a baking sheet and cover each loaf with a large inverted bowl. Let stand for 1 hour, until the loaves have nearly doubled in bulk. (The risen loaves can be frozen, wrapped, for up to 2 weeks; top and bake just before serving.)
Heat oven to 400 degrees. In a bowl, whisk egg yolks with 1 tablespoon water. Brush the egg wash over the loaves and let stand uncovered for 30 minutes. Brush with the egg wash once more and sprinkle with the reserved sesame seeds. Bake the loaves side-by-side in the center of the oven for 30 minutes, until they're golden and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom. Transfer the loaves to racks and let cool before serving or slicing.
RASPBERRY ROSE RUGELACH
This also comes from Melissa Clark in the same New York Times Cooking e-newsletter. (This is from Chicago's HotChocolate restaurant.) Melissa writes, “With its garnet-hued raspberry jam filling and fragrant rose sugar topping, this rugelach is a vivid departure from more traditional incarnations. It also uses two different kinds of salt, which provide forthright seasoning and a bare hint of crunch. You can make them up to 5 days ahead, if stored in an airtight container.” Time: 4 hours; makes 4 dozen rugelach
To view this yummy recipe online, click here.
Ingredients
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons rose water
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon flaky sea salt
8 ounces unsalted butter (2 sticks), at room temperature
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Nonstick spray
1 1/2 cups raspberry jam
1 large egg white, lightly beaten
Preparation
In a medium bowl, combine 1/2 cup sugar and the rose water. Rub together, then leave uncovered to dry, at least 2 hours. When dry, rub between fingers or use a mortar and pestle to break up any large chunks. (Rose sugar can be made up to 3 days ahead and stored airtight at room temperature.)
Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together flour, kosher salt and sea salt.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter on medium speed for 5 to 10 seconds. Beat in cream cheese. Beat in remaining 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl, then beat in vanilla.
With mixer on low speed, beat in flour mixture until dough comes together but still looks shaggy, about 30 seconds.
Dump dough and crumbs onto the counter and use your hands or a plastic bench scraper to bring dough together into a mass. Divide dough in half, wrap in plastic wrap and pat into rectangles. Chill at least 2 hours and up to 1 week.
Lightly dust an 11-by-17-inch piece of parchment paper with flour. Place 1 dough rectangle onto the parchment, dust with flour, cover with another piece of parchment, and roll dough out into a rectangle, leaving a 1-inch border between edge of parchment and dough. If dough sticks, peel back parchment, dust with more flour, replace parchment. Repeat with second dough half, then chill for 30 minutes.
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper and lightly coat with nonstick spray.
Working with one sheet at a time, move rolled-out dough to work surface. Peel one layer of parchment off to unstick it from the dough, replace it lightly on top of the dough, then flip and peel other side off. Spread 3/4 cup jam in a thin, even layer on dough. Using a fluted dough cutter (or a sharp paring knife), trim edges and divide dough in half lengthwise into two long strips. Working with one strip at a time and moving crosswise, cut diagonal lines to form triangles with flat tips, with each base about 2 inches wide and each tip about 1/4 inch wide. There should be about 12 triangles per strip.
Using an offset spatula, separate a triangle away from rest of dough. Starting from the wide base, roll dough up and place tip-side down on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining triangles, spacing them 1 inch apart.
Brush tops of rugelach with egg white and sprinkle with rose sugar. Bake, rotating pans halfway through, until golden, 22 to 28 minutes. Cool on sheet pans for 2 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
CREAMY PASTA WITH BROCCOLI, PARMESAN CHEESE, AND HAM
This comes from Diana Rattray, About.com's Southern Food expert. Diana writes, “This pasta is a snap to prepare. Cook the pasta, quickly steam the broccoli, and stir-fry the ham and garlic for a few minutes. The simple sauce is made with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. For a gluten-free diet, serve the dish with gluten-free pasta.
“Leave out the ham and this could easily become a vegetarian dish.” Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 35 minutes; Yield: 4 Servings
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
8 ounces pasta (penne, elbows, shells, or similar)
3 cups broccoli florets, roughly chopped, about 1 medium broccoli crown
3 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 to 2 cups diced ham, about 8 ounces
1 large clove garlic, finely minced
2 to 3 teaspoons chopped fresh basil or about 1/2 teaspoon dried leaf basil
3/4 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup fresh grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (Parmesan) cheese
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Preparation
Cook the pasta in a pot of boiling salted water following the package directions. Drain in a colander.
Meanwhile, put the broccoli pieces in a steaming basket. Bring about an inch of water to a boil in a medium to large saucepan. Put the steaming basket in the pan (above the water, so the broccoli doesn't sit in the water). Cover the pan and steam the broccoli for about 4 minutes, or until the florets are just barely tender.
In a skillet or saute pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the ham and cook, stirring, until browned. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the basil, cream, and Parmesan cheese. Bring to a simmer over low heat and continue cooking for about 1 minute.
Taste and add salt and pepper, as needed. Combine with the drained pasta and toss. Heat through.
Transfer the pasta mixture to a serving bowl and toss again at the table just before serving.
Serve with extra Parmesan cheese, a tossed salad or Caesar Salad, along with crusty rolls or bread.
Variations
Replace the ham with diced Canadian bacon or about 6 to 8 strips of cooked diced bacon.
Replace the broccoli with steamed or microwaved frozen peas.
CHOCOLATE-ORANGE MAPLE SNAPS
This comes from the March 2015 issue of Vegetarian Times, page 71. It begins, “These snaps are great on their own, or as wafers for sandwich cookies. Maple syrup lends flavor and moisture, which lets you cut down on oil in the dough.” Makes 40 cookies in 30 minutes or less.
To view this online, click here.
3/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup canola oil
1 Tbs. cornstarch dissolved in 1 Tbs. water
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 Tbs. grated orange zest
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
3 Tbs. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat three baking sheets with cooking spray.
Whisk together maple syrup, oil, cornstarch mixture, vanilla, and orange zest in large bowl.
Sift together flours, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk dry ingredients into wet ingredients until smooth.
Measure out cookie dough in 1-tsp. scoops, and arrange 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, or until cookies are firm on top and edges have darkened.
nutritional information Per Cookie: Calories: 42; Protein: less than 1 g; Total Fat: 2 g; Saturated Fat: less than 1 g; Carbohydrates: 7 g; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Sodium: 30 mg; Fiber: less than 1 g; Sugar: 4 g; Vegan
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Diabetic Thursday
Today's blog begins with an article from The Diabetic News is titled “Study: Obamacare Improving Management of Diabetes and Other Conditions.” Give it a read when you have a minute or two.
And now, on to today's recipes. Enjoy!
BOSTON BAKED BEANS
Yield: 16 servings
Source: "Forbidden Foods Diabetic Cooking" by Maggie Powers
Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/12.shtml
Ingredients
1 pound dried navy beans
1 large onion, chopped
2 teaspoons salt
1 tomato, chopped
1/3 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons molasses
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
Directions
Place the beans in a strainer and sort through the beans to remove stones, discolored beans, or any other objects. Rinse with cold water until beans are clean, about 2 minutes.
In a large bowl, combine the beans, onion, salt, and enough water to cover them by 2 inches. Let stand 8 hours or overnight at room temperature; do not refrigerate.
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
In a strainer, drain and rinse the beans and onion. Place in a 4-quart saucepan and add the tomato, sugar, molasses, vinegar, ketchup, ginger, mustard, and pepper; stir until blended. Add enough water to cover the beans, about 2 cups. Cover and bake until bubbly and the beans are soft, 5 hours.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/2 cup): Calories: 110, Fat: 0 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Sodium: 50 mg, Carbohydrate: 21 g, Dietary Fiber: 4 g, Sugars: 4 g, Protein: 6 g, Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 Starch
FOIL-ROASTED HERB POTATOES
Yield: 4 servings, 1/2 cup each
Source: "The Diabetes Food and Nutrition Bible"
Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/11.shtml
Ingredients
1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, cubed
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 sprigs rosemary
2 sprigs oregano
2 sprigs thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon paprika
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Tear four large sheets of foil.
Divide all ingredients among the four sheets of foil. Wrap up the potatoes, seal tightly. Put all packets on a baking sheet.
Roast the potatoes in the oven for 35 minutes.
Place one packet on each dinner plate and allow diners to open their packets.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (About 1/2 cup): Calories: 146, Fat: 6 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Sodium: 9 mg, Carbohydrate: 21 g, Dietary Fiber: 2 g, Sugars: 2 g, Protein: 3 g Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 Starch, 1 Fat
HUMMUS-VEGGIE WRAPS
Yield: 4 servings
Source: "The Complete Diabetes Prevention Plan"
Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/60.shtml
Ingredients
4 whole-wheat flour tortillas (8 to 9-inch rounds)
1 cup ready-made hummus
1 small carrot, shredded with a potato peeler
2 slices red onion, separated into rings
12 thin slices peeled cucumber
16 young tender spinach leaves or 1 cup alfalfa sprouts
Directions
Warm the tortillas according to package directions. Lay the tortillas on a flat surface and spread the lower half only of each tortilla with 1/4 cup of the hummus.
Top the hummus on each tortilla with a quarter of the carrots, onion rings, cucumber slices, and spinach or sprouts, leaving a 1-1/2 inch margin on the right and left sides.
Fold the right and left margins in, then roll each tortilla up from the bottom to enclose the filling. Cut each warp in half and serve immediately.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/4 of recipe): Calories: 258, Carbohydrate: 38 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Fat: 8.6 g, Saturated Fat: 0.5 g, Fiber: 6.7 g, Protein: 10 g, Sodium: 625 mg, Calcium: 56 mg, Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 Starch, 1 Very Lean Meat, 1/2 Vegetable, 1 Fat
CRANBERRY-ORANGE SAUCE
Yield: 16 (2-tablespoon) servings
Source: "Light and Easy Diabetes Cuisine" by Betty Marks
Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/24.shtmlIngredients
1 (12 oz.) package fresh cranberries
3 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate
1 teaspoon no-sugar-added raspberry conserve
1 orange, cut in 8 sections
Directions
Rinse cranberries and place in a medium-size saucepan with a small amount of water. Cook over medium heat, stirring in next 2 ingredients, until berries are soft.
In a food processor fitted with the metal blade, process half the cranberries and four orange sections. Repeat with remaining cranberries and oranges. Chill before serving. Makes 2 cups.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (2 tablespoons): Calories: 21, Fat: 0 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Carbohydrate: 5 g, Protein: 0 g, Sodium: 0 mg, Diabetic Exchanges: FREE
MINIATURE APPLE MUFFINS
This recipe begins, "With the right amount of spice and a sprinkling of raisins, these bite-size muffins have the flavor of an old-fashioned apple cake." Yield: 36 servings
Source: Splenda
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1120.shtml
Ingredients
3/4 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated
1 cup butter, softened
2 teaspoons molasses
2 large eggs
1/3 cup apple juice concentrate, thawed
2 teaspoons grated fresh lemon peel
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup peeled, shredded fresh apple
2/3 cup old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup raisins
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly spray miniature muffin pans with vegetable cooking spray; set aside.
Beat Splenda Granulated Sweetener, butter, and molasses at medium speed of an electric mixer 1 minute or until blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until blended after each addition; add apple juice concentrate and lemon peel, beating until blended.
Combine flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, soda, and salt; add to Splenda Granulated Sweetener mixture, beating on low speed just until blended. Stir in apple, oats, and raisins.
Spoon batter into prepared pans; filling three-fourths full. Bake until edges are lightly browned, 12 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 100; Protein: 2 g; Fat: 6 g; Sodium: 125 mg; Cholesterol: 25 mg; Saturated Fat: 3.5 g; Dietary Fiber: 1 g; Sugars: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 11 g
CRANBERRY APPLE CRISP
Yield: 8 servings
Source: Equal
View Online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/876.shtml
Filling:
3 cups peeled, cored, sliced apples
2 cups fresh or frozen thawed cranberries
1 cup Equal Spoonful*
Topping:
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup stick butter or margarine, melted
1/2 cup Equal Spoonful**
* Substitute 24 packets Equal sweetener
** Substitute 12 packets Equal sweetener
Directions
For Filling, combine apples, cranberries and 1 cup Equal in an ungreased 10-inch pie plate.
For Topping, combine flour, pecans, melted butter and 1/2 cup Equal. Mix until well blended. Sprinkle flour mixture over apples and cranberries in pie plate.
Bake in preheated 350F oven 55 to 60 minutes or until fruit is tender. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 145; Protein: 1 g; Fat: 8 g; Sodium: 67 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 18 g; Exchanges: 1 fruit, 1-1/2 fat
And now, on to today's recipes. Enjoy!
BOSTON BAKED BEANS
Yield: 16 servings
Source: "Forbidden Foods Diabetic Cooking" by Maggie Powers
Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/12.shtml
Ingredients
1 pound dried navy beans
1 large onion, chopped
2 teaspoons salt
1 tomato, chopped
1/3 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons molasses
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
Directions
Place the beans in a strainer and sort through the beans to remove stones, discolored beans, or any other objects. Rinse with cold water until beans are clean, about 2 minutes.
In a large bowl, combine the beans, onion, salt, and enough water to cover them by 2 inches. Let stand 8 hours or overnight at room temperature; do not refrigerate.
Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
In a strainer, drain and rinse the beans and onion. Place in a 4-quart saucepan and add the tomato, sugar, molasses, vinegar, ketchup, ginger, mustard, and pepper; stir until blended. Add enough water to cover the beans, about 2 cups. Cover and bake until bubbly and the beans are soft, 5 hours.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/2 cup): Calories: 110, Fat: 0 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Sodium: 50 mg, Carbohydrate: 21 g, Dietary Fiber: 4 g, Sugars: 4 g, Protein: 6 g, Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 Starch
FOIL-ROASTED HERB POTATOES
Yield: 4 servings, 1/2 cup each
Source: "The Diabetes Food and Nutrition Bible"
Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/11.shtml
Ingredients
1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, cubed
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 sprigs rosemary
2 sprigs oregano
2 sprigs thyme
Salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon paprika
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Tear four large sheets of foil.
Divide all ingredients among the four sheets of foil. Wrap up the potatoes, seal tightly. Put all packets on a baking sheet.
Roast the potatoes in the oven for 35 minutes.
Place one packet on each dinner plate and allow diners to open their packets.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (About 1/2 cup): Calories: 146, Fat: 6 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Sodium: 9 mg, Carbohydrate: 21 g, Dietary Fiber: 2 g, Sugars: 2 g, Protein: 3 g Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 Starch, 1 Fat
HUMMUS-VEGGIE WRAPS
Yield: 4 servings
Source: "The Complete Diabetes Prevention Plan"
Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/60.shtml
Ingredients
4 whole-wheat flour tortillas (8 to 9-inch rounds)
1 cup ready-made hummus
1 small carrot, shredded with a potato peeler
2 slices red onion, separated into rings
12 thin slices peeled cucumber
16 young tender spinach leaves or 1 cup alfalfa sprouts
Directions
Warm the tortillas according to package directions. Lay the tortillas on a flat surface and spread the lower half only of each tortilla with 1/4 cup of the hummus.
Top the hummus on each tortilla with a quarter of the carrots, onion rings, cucumber slices, and spinach or sprouts, leaving a 1-1/2 inch margin on the right and left sides.
Fold the right and left margins in, then roll each tortilla up from the bottom to enclose the filling. Cut each warp in half and serve immediately.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/4 of recipe): Calories: 258, Carbohydrate: 38 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Fat: 8.6 g, Saturated Fat: 0.5 g, Fiber: 6.7 g, Protein: 10 g, Sodium: 625 mg, Calcium: 56 mg, Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 Starch, 1 Very Lean Meat, 1/2 Vegetable, 1 Fat
CRANBERRY-ORANGE SAUCE
Yield: 16 (2-tablespoon) servings
Source: "Light and Easy Diabetes Cuisine" by Betty Marks
Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/24.shtmlIngredients
1 (12 oz.) package fresh cranberries
3 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate
1 teaspoon no-sugar-added raspberry conserve
1 orange, cut in 8 sections
Directions
Rinse cranberries and place in a medium-size saucepan with a small amount of water. Cook over medium heat, stirring in next 2 ingredients, until berries are soft.
In a food processor fitted with the metal blade, process half the cranberries and four orange sections. Repeat with remaining cranberries and oranges. Chill before serving. Makes 2 cups.
Nutritional Information Per Serving (2 tablespoons): Calories: 21, Fat: 0 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Carbohydrate: 5 g, Protein: 0 g, Sodium: 0 mg, Diabetic Exchanges: FREE
MINIATURE APPLE MUFFINS
This recipe begins, "With the right amount of spice and a sprinkling of raisins, these bite-size muffins have the flavor of an old-fashioned apple cake." Yield: 36 servings
Source: Splenda
Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1120.shtml
Ingredients
3/4 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated
1 cup butter, softened
2 teaspoons molasses
2 large eggs
1/3 cup apple juice concentrate, thawed
2 teaspoons grated fresh lemon peel
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup peeled, shredded fresh apple
2/3 cup old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup raisins
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly spray miniature muffin pans with vegetable cooking spray; set aside.
Beat Splenda Granulated Sweetener, butter, and molasses at medium speed of an electric mixer 1 minute or until blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until blended after each addition; add apple juice concentrate and lemon peel, beating until blended.
Combine flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, soda, and salt; add to Splenda Granulated Sweetener mixture, beating on low speed just until blended. Stir in apple, oats, and raisins.
Spoon batter into prepared pans; filling three-fourths full. Bake until edges are lightly browned, 12 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 100; Protein: 2 g; Fat: 6 g; Sodium: 125 mg; Cholesterol: 25 mg; Saturated Fat: 3.5 g; Dietary Fiber: 1 g; Sugars: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 11 g
CRANBERRY APPLE CRISP
Yield: 8 servings
Source: Equal
View Online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/876.shtml
Filling:
3 cups peeled, cored, sliced apples
2 cups fresh or frozen thawed cranberries
1 cup Equal Spoonful*
Topping:
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup stick butter or margarine, melted
1/2 cup Equal Spoonful**
* Substitute 24 packets Equal sweetener
** Substitute 12 packets Equal sweetener
Directions
For Filling, combine apples, cranberries and 1 cup Equal in an ungreased 10-inch pie plate.
For Topping, combine flour, pecans, melted butter and 1/2 cup Equal. Mix until well blended. Sprinkle flour mixture over apples and cranberries in pie plate.
Bake in preheated 350F oven 55 to 60 minutes or until fruit is tender. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 145; Protein: 1 g; Fat: 8 g; Sodium: 67 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 18 g; Exchanges: 1 fruit, 1-1/2 fat
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